Congress' Hath Se Hath Jodo Yatra to begin in Barak Valley from 2nd February

Bharat Jodo Yatra was a mass movement organised by Indian National Congress (INC) that ended yesterday. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was orchestrating the movement by encouraging the party cadre and the public to walk from Kanyakumari at the southern tip of India to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on the extreme north, a journey of 3,570 kilometres (2,220 miles) over almost 150 days.

According to INC, the movement was intended to unite the country against the “divisive politics” of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Government of India. The Bharat Jodo Yatra movement was launched by Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on September 7, 2022. Its main objective was to protest against the politics of “fear, bigotry and prejudice”, and the economics of livelihood destruction, increasing unemployment and growing inequality. During the movement, the INC elected a new party president and also won a majority in the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, its first majority it won by itself since 2018.

On the lines of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Hath Se Hath Jodo Yatra has been organised by All India Congress Committee (AICC) from 26th January. Barak Valley too has been made a part of the Yatra. In a press conference organised today by Silchar District Congress Committee, Apurba Bhattacharjee, organisational incharge of Cachar District Congress delineated Haat Se Hath Joro Yatra which will begin in Barak Valley from 2nd February, 2023. Speaking to reporters about the Yatra, Bhattacharjee said, “Our favourite leader and former President of All India Congress Committee (AICC) cum MP Rahul Gandhi ended the historical Bharat Jodo Yatra yesterday in Kashmir’s Srinagar. When the Yatra completed 3500 kilometres, Rahul Gandhi realised that our feelings had to be brought out to the people of this country. Contemplating this, Gandhi wrote a letter addressing the people of this country. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has started Hath Se Hath Jodo Yatra, another edition on the lines of Bharat Jodo Yatra from 26th January. Through this Yatra we will reach everyone living in villages, hold their hands, discuss the problems of this country and rebuild India with brotherhood and love instead of revenge. In Barak Valley under the leadership of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah, the Hath Se Hath Jodo Yatra will start from Dholai constituency’s Baghabazar on 2nd February. The Yatra will cover 6 constituencies of Cachar in the first phase – Dholai (on 2nd February), Udharbond (on 3rd February), Borkhola (on 4th February), Katigorah (on 5th February), Sonai (on 6th February) and Lakhipur (on 7th February).”

Speaking about the guest attendees in the Yatra, Bhattacharjee said, “The Yatra will be attended by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah as well opposition party leader Debabrata Saikia. The programme will be inaugurated by CWC Member and General Secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Jitendra Singh accompanied by Prithviraj Sathe. MP Gaurav Gogoi, All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer cum Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan will also be present on the occasion. Besides, leaders from various levels of Pradesh Congress including Mohila Congress, Jubo Congress, NSUI, Seva Dal as well as MLAs will attend the Hath Se Hath Jodo Yatra.”