NEW DELHI, Sept 7: The Congress on Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the launch of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, describing the nationwide march as a “decisive turning point” that generated fresh hope, energy and political resolve.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh recalled that Gandhi began the historic padyatra from Kanyakumari on September 7, 2022, after paying tribute at the Vivekananda Memorial. He was accompanied by around 120 Bharat Yatris at the start of the journey.
According to Ramesh, the march covered nearly 4,080 km across 12 states and two Union Territories over 145 days before concluding with a rally in Srinagar.
Calling the campaign a transformational event in contemporary Indian politics, Ramesh said it attracted support from people concerned about widening economic disparities, social tensions and what the party described as increasing political authoritarianism.
He said the central objective of the march was to challenge what the Congress termed the “systematic RSS/BJP assault” on constitutional principles, institutions and democratic practices.
“The padyatra was not to sermonise a Mann ki Baat but to listen to Janta ki Chinta,” Ramesh said in a social media post.
He described the anniversary as an opportunity to remember what he called a crucial moment that “infused new hope, imparted new energy and inspired a new resolve.”
Gandhi’s extensive public outreach
During the 145-day journey, Gandhi addressed 12 public meetings, more than 100 street-corner gatherings and 13 press conferences.
He also participated in more than 275 scheduled walking interactions and over 100 sitting interactions, giving the campaign a strong emphasis on direct engagement with people along the route.
The march drew considerable attention from supporters and political opponents alike as Gandhi travelled more than 4,000 km across the country.
Several prominent personalities from different fields joined the yatra at various stages. Actors and television personalities, including Kamal Haasan, Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri and Amol Palekar, participated in the march.
Writers, military veterans and public figures also joined Gandhi. Among them were former Army chief General (Retd) Deepak Kapoor, former Navy chief Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas, former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan and former finance secretary Arvind Mayaram.
Opposition leaders join the march
The yatra also brought together leaders from several opposition parties.
National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Raut, and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Supriya Sule joined Gandhi during different stretches of the journey.
The Congress continues to portray the Bharat Jodo Yatra as a significant chapter in its political outreach, particularly for its emphasis on public interaction and opposition to social and economic divisions.