Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra starts from Manipur; Rahul calls for ending politics of hatred

Imphal, Jan 14  The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra began from Thoubal in Manipur on Sunday with a call by Congress President Malikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi to end the politics of hatred and violence and start a new politics of debate and understanding.
Thousands attended the rally, though the Thoubal district Administration ordered the gathering to be limited to 3000.
Gandhi paid tribute at the Khongjom War memorial constructed in memory of the heroes of 1891 Anglo Manipur heroes before the launch of the yatra, which is slated to traverse over about 6,200 kilometres in 66 days.
The Wayanad MP said he had visited Manipur earlier and saw something for the first time which he never witnessed before. "I saw for the first time after joining politics the collapse of governance. It is no more the Manipur we knew, lakhs of people have been affected, and people have died," he said.
Rahul alleged that the suffering of the people of Manipur is not felt by BJP and RSS. Recalling his earlier Bharat Jodo yatra, the former AICC President said he walked 4000 km and spoke about unifying people, removing distrust.
"It was difficult but fruitful. The Yatra which began today will be a hybrid yatra of using vehicle and walking," he said.
Because of the politics, ideology and hatred BJP and RSS have spread, Manipur has seen calamities. “We will find what you have lost and we will restore it,” he told the huge gathering. Gandhi said he understood the hurt, the wrenching sense of loss, and sadness, and promised to bring back what people of Manipur value most.
Referring to the situation in the country, he said monopoly is seen now as only few people are getting free access to wealth and small and medium-sized industries have disappeared.
Rahul said as he did during the previous Yatra, this time too he will speak less and listen more.
The Congress leader also apologised for making the people wait at Khongjom since early morning.
He concluded by saying that the vision of India is not violence, hatred and monopoly, but a harmonious equitable brotherhood.
Earlier, addressing the inaugural function after unveiling the vehicle for the yatra, Kharge said the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had described Manipur as the jewel of India and it was the Congress that agreed to all the demands of the people generously.
The Congress party and Rahul Gandi are fighting for the people and it is a long struggle. he said, appealing to all to respect the four pillars of the Constitution.
The Congress Chief said such a Yatra never happened in Indian history. He further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to seek votes but when the people of Manipur faced problems, he never visited the state.
"We should fight on issues - secularism, liberty, social justice, to save the Constitution but not instigate people on religious issues. The PM was speaking about Lord Ram but his actions are different," said Kharge.
He said during the winter session 146 MPs were suspended. "By removing everyone they wanted to pass laws, a dictatorial attitude was seen to finish democracy," Kharge said.
"Rahul Gandhi wants justice for the people of Manipur. Why can’t the PM come to Manipur if he can visit the beach (at Lakshadweep)," he asked.
The rally is to awaken the people of Manipur and make people aware about employment, sports and education which the central government is not thinking. "All projects have stopped, what is going on is only publicity," he added.
The rally is for the common people, justice, education, to decrease the gap between the rich and the poor, to stop the sale of public sector units, and to save farmers, women wrestlers who were not given justice. "It is for those who are jailed for asking questions and to ask where are the 20 crore jobs assured by the Prime Minister," Kharge said.
Manipur government and Congress made adequate security arrangements for the visiting Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivkumar.
The inaugural function for the yatra was supposed to be held at Hapta Kangjeibung at Imphal East, but after the state government denied permission, the venue was changed to Thoubal district.
People from across the state started converging at Khongjom since the early morning and waited for the start of the rally around 4 pm, as cultural programmes were organised for the participants.
Gandhi and Kharge arrived on different planes and both were delayed. As soon as both of them arrived, the National Song Vande Mataram was sung. Tributes were also offered to those who died during the crisis in Manipur.
Rahul and other Congress leaders travelled by a bus after Kharge gave a National Flag to the former party president. Thousands of people were seen walking. During the march, Rahul Gandhi also signed autographs.
The rally will conclude at Imphal and proceed towards Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Monday before moving to Nagaland.
Earlier, addressing the inaugural function after unveiling the vehicle for the yatra, Kharge said the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had described Manipur as the jewel of India and it was the Congress that agreed to all the demands of the people generously.
The Congress party and Rahul Gandi are fighting for the people and it is a long struggle. Kharge said, appealing to all to respect the four pillars of the Constitution.
He said such a Yatra never happened in Indian history. He further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to seek votes but when the people of Manipur faced problems, Modi never visited the state.
"We should fight on issues - secularism, liberty, social justice, to save the Constitution but not instigate people on religious issues. The PM was speaking about Lord Ram but his actions are different," said Kharge.
He said during the winter session 146 MPs were suspended. "By removing everyone they wanted to pass laws, a dictatorial attitude was seen to finish democracy," he said.
"Rahul Gandhi wants justice for the people of Manipur. Why can’t the PM come to Manipur if he can visit the beach (at Lakshadweep)." he asked.
The rally is to awake the people of Manipur, make people aware about employment, sports and education which the central government is not thinking. "All projects have stopped, what is going on is only publicity," he added.
The rally is for the common people, justice, education, to decrease the gap between the rich and the poor, to stop the sale of public sector units, and to save farmers, women wrestlers who were not given justice. "It is for those who are jailed for asking questions and to ask where are the 20 crore jobs assured by the Prime Minister," Kharge said.
Gandhi apologised for making the people wait at Khongjom since early morning and assured to provide the people of Manipur with what they had before the crisis.