Rahul Gandhi Unveils a New Political Landscape with Bharat Jodo Yatra

Rahul Gandhi Concludes Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar, Highlights Dissatisfaction Among J&K and Ladakh Residents

Image Credit – @bharatjodo

Last Leg of the Yatra

On Sunday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi concluded the last leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. He hoisted the Indian flag at Lal Chowk, a historic location where his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru once addressed a gathering and promised a plebiscite to the people of the then state of J&K.

Displeased with Current Situation

Gandhi expressed that people across J&K and Ladakh are unhappy with the current situation. He emphasized that restoration of statehood and democratic process in J&K remains a fundamental issue and believes that all other states have an assembly and functioning democratic process. The Congress leader also reiterated the party’s stance on the restoration of Article 370.

Deployment of Security Forces

To avoid any security threats, heavy contingents of police and paramilitary forces were deployed in Srinagar and along the yatra route. The city center was sealed and the weekly Sunday flea market was also not allowed to function.

Gandhi’s Meeting with J&K Residents

Gandhi stated that he met people from all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh and noted that none of them were happy with the current situation. He expressed his sadness and affection for the people of J&K and offered to help in any way possible. Gandhi even dared Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take out a yatra from Jammu to Srinagar on foot if the security situation has improved. He said that targeted killings and bomb blasts continue to take place in the region.

Image Credit – @bharatjodo

Impact of Bharat Jodo Yatra on Political Scenario

Gandhi believes that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has given an alternative vision to people and will have an impact on the political scenario of the country. He explained that there is an ideological fight going on in the country, with the RSS-BJP on one side and non-RSS-BJP on the other. Gandhi also accused the BJP and RSS of attacking the institutional framework of the country, including the parliament, judiciary, assemblies, and media.

Opposition Unity

Gandhi stated that opposition unity is possible after conversations, dialogue, and vision. He emphasized that the opposition may have differences but they are not scattered.

India-China Faceoff in Ladakh

Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Modi, stating that he is the only person in the country who believes that the Chinese have not taken any land from India. Gandhi said that he recently met with former army personnel and Ladakhis who confirmed that 2000 sq km have been taken by the Chinese. He warned that the government’s approach in denying that the Chinese have taken Indian land is dangerous and will only give the Chinese more confidence to take aggressive actions. Gandhi suggested that the Chinese must be dealt with firmly and must be aware that they are sitting on Indian land, which is not something that India will tolerate.

In conclusion, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has shed light on the dissatisfaction among J&K and Ladakh residents and the impact it will have on the political scenario of the country. He emphasized the need for restoration of statehood and democratic process in J&K, the opposition’s unity, and the dangers of the government’s approach in dealing with the India-China faceoff in Ladakh.