Bharat Jodo Yatra has attracted attention of whole country: Bhalla

KATRA, January  12, 2023: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla accompanied by senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh and Congress Sewadal Chief Vijay Sharma Babbi today convened series of meetings at Katra in  Reasi District organised by District President Rajesh Sadotra with regard to preparations for forthcoming Bharat Jodo Yatra in J&K.

Prominent among those present on the occasion include Rakesh Wazir,  Bopinder Singh Jamwal, Madan Dogra, Rakesh Wazir, Munshi ram salalia, Pritam Singh, Adv. Vijay Sharma, Jagdish Jishupant, DDC Mohd Israil Rafiq,  Block president Thoru Ram,  Satya Devi Raj Kumar Verma, Ajay Salalia, Karan, Jannu , Himanshu, Jayant , Arjun , Mohit, Tahir, Ashu beside others.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that over the years, the yatra has been used to serve various purposes, from being a vanity project for the leader to a mobilisational tool and force multiplier, or a mere assertion of relevance.

There is much work to be done to lend it meaning or lasting effect. A robust organisation is necessary to harness and channelize the energy generated by a yatra, build on its message, take it to the voters. There has to be clarity about the message, but the messenger is also key. It takes the hard labour of politics to take the journey to a destination. Bharat Jodo Yatra is not indulging in negative politics but raising key issues of people such as unemployment, price rise and divisions being created in society, Bhalla said claiming that the foot march has broken all records in country.

Bhalla said the Bharat Jodo Yatra has attracted the attention of the entire country. Nobody is raising negative issues during the foot march but is only talking about love, harmony, our cultural heritage and bringing people together,” he said. Many are upset and do not know how to attack and criticise this Yatra, Bhalla said in an apparent swipe at the BJP.”The yatra in J&K will break all records,” he said.He  said Rahul Gandhi has been working tirelessly, and even during the UPA rule, when he was requested to take over as Prime Minister, he chose to serve the people.

Bhalla said this Padayatra  is one of the important steps that have been taken by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party to challenge the existing situation and it cannot be ignored. This padayatra has a specific objective to reach out to the common people who have been ignored by the existing government for a long time and this objective of any Padayatra demand major change in existing social and political condition.

It is a fact that the ruling government has systematically challenged India’s secular identity and this attack has brought out significant changes in India’s social and political structure by creating the notion of hate and fear across the society. In this case the question of India’s secular identity and cultural diversity cannot be ignored because both intentionally defend India’s unity.

Manmohan Singh speaking on the occasion said that Ever since the ruling party came into the power, a new social and political condition has emerged which intentionally discriminates against various sections. Today when much of the country is living under the condition of fear and no one is ready to speak against this condition.

In such a situation Bharat Jodo yatra will strongly challenge the hate politics of the ruling party and give confidence to the common public to unite against the fear and hate that has been created by it. Especially in the case of social and political change, this padayatra after the dandi march will leave an impact largely by bringing social problem at the center of debate.

Vijay Sharma Babbi speaking on the occasion said that since a long time after the implementation of neoliberal policy by the government of India has brought out several changes that gradually synchronize the space in mainstream debate for common social problems. In this case, Bharat Jodo Yatra will on the one hand bring common people together to raise the voice against ruling government and on the other hand it also changes the narrative of Indian politics.

Besides, due to having wide support from various civil society bodies and common masses, this padayatra will appeal to the larger population and will encourage them to lead a strong movement against inequality, privatization and unemployment.

Rajesh Sadotra said for people of country who are feeling the pinch of inflation, the Yatra is a ray of hope that may unite the country paving the way for Congress to return to power and put an end to the skyrocketing inflation and price rise. They believe that Congress’ policies are more inclined toward marginalised sections rather than the current dispensation.

Rahul Gandhi has touched sufferings of each and every section of society. He spoke about inflation, unemployment caused by GST (goods and services tax) and demonetisation, hike in petroleum and LPG price. People of country are concerned over the future of their children as education was getting costlier and the job market was shrinking. “The Yatra has created a momentum, he added.


(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)