The Congress is set to launch the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from violence-afflicted Manipur on Sunday, spearheaded by none other than Rahul Gandhi. The move, coming ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls, is seen as the party’s strategic effort to dominate the political narrative, shining a light on pressing issues like unemployment, price rise, and social justice.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is set to blaze through 100 Lok Sabha segments across 15 states, and the Congress is banking on it being as “transformative” as Gandhi’s previous cross-country march. The party aims to vocalize the people’s issues, which they claim have been overlooked in Parliament, thereby re-establishing the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

Though officially not an electoral campaign, the timing of the yatra is pivotal as the Congress seeks to rebound from its dismal performance in the last round of assembly elections. With the BJP’s focus on the January 22 Ram temple consecration ceremony, the Congress is determined to shift the focus to bread-and-butter issues.

Gandhi, on Friday, accused the political landscape of “misusing” emotional issues and diverting attention from the real problems, terming it a “betrayal” of the people of India. In a compelling post on social media, he posed a thought-provoking question to the youth, challenging them to contemplate the future identity of India – one defined by quality of life or mere emotions.

In a bold move, the yatra’s kickoff location was shifted from Imphal to Thoubal district, Manipur, following conditional approval from the state government. The region has been wracked by ethnic violence since May last year, which has claimed over 180 lives.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, an ambitious 6,713 km journey, will traverse through 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats, and 337 assembly segments in 67 days, culminating in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. The yatra’s anthem, released with the tagline “Saho Mat, Daro Mat (do not suffer, do not be scared)”, captures the spirit of protest and resistance.

As the yatra covers politically vital areas, including Amethi, Rae Bareli, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency of Varanasi, the Congress has invited all leaders of the Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance (INDIA) bloc to join in. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, has asserted the yatra’s potential impact, likening it to the transformative Bharat Jodo Yatra.

In a country grappling with rising inequality, social polarisation, and political tyranny, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra emerges as a beacon of hope for justice. As the yatra embarks on its journey, the nation watches with bated breath, anticipating the potential reshaping of India’s political landscape.

  Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Congress I, India, Jairam Ramesh, Manipur, Rahul Gandhi