The Bharat Jodo Yatra is a significant political event in India, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress (INC). Launched on September 7, 2022, in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, the Yatra aimed to unite the country against divisive forces, advocating for social harmony, economic equality, and political reform. The movement covered a distance of nearly 4,000 kilometers over approximately 150 days, traversing 12 Indian states and two Union Territories, making it one of the longest political marches in Indian history.
Objectives and Themes
The Bharat Jodo Yatra was primarily designed as a mass-contact campaign to directly engage with citizens and highlight issues such as rising inflation, unemployment, social injustice, and political polarization. Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders of the Congress Party walked through major cities, towns, and rural areas, interacting with farmers, laborers, youth, and marginalized communities. The overarching goal was to counter what the Congress Party described as the growing influence of hate, fear, and division in Indian society, which they attributed to the policies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Route and Participation
The Yatra started at Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India, and passed through key states like Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and concluded in Jammu & Kashmir. In total, the march covered nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The trek saw participation from thousands of citizens, party workers, and social activists. Notably, celebrities, intellectuals, and representatives from civil society also joined the march at various points to show support for its causes.
Key Issues Raised During the Yatra
Throughout the journey, the Congress leadership raised several pressing national issues:
- Rising Inflation: Addressing the concerns of common citizens over high prices of essential commodities, fuel, and basic services.
- Unemployment: With India facing one of the highest youth unemployment rates, the Yatra highlighted the need for sustainable job creation.
- Farmer Distress: The plight of Indian farmers was a central theme, especially in light of the recent farmers’ protests against the controversial farm laws, which were later repealed.
- Religious Harmony: The Yatra promoted communal harmony and sought to bring attention to the rise in incidents of religious intolerance.
- Strengthening Democracy: There was a focus on reinforcing democratic values, protecting institutions, and ensuring accountability in governance.
Public Response and Impact
The Yatra received significant attention from the public and the media. Rahul Gandhi’s personal engagement with citizens, his consistent walking routine despite health challenges, and his candid conversations on social issues garnered both praise and criticism. While supporters viewed the Yatra as a revitalizing effort for the Congress Party, critics often dismissed it as a mere political gimmick.
However, the Yatra did manage to energize the Congress’s grassroots workers and gained widespread visibility in the regions it passed through. In states like Karnataka, where the Yatra garnered substantial public support, it is believed to have had an impact on the party’s organizational strength ahead of upcoming elections.
