Manipur refuses permission to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

A year ago, Rahul Gandhi had gone on a Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

The Congress was scouring for an alternative location after the Manipur government refused permission to party leader Rahul Gandhi to launch his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which begins January 14, from the state capital Imphal’s Palace Ground over security concerns.

State unit leaders were looking for a new location in Imphal and were also in touch with the government to ensure that no other “hurdles” were created, the party said on January 10.

“The yatra is not political and the party had no intention to politicise Manipur issue. We assured the state government as well but it denied to hold any gathering at Palace Ground in Imphal. We are committed to starting our march from Imphal and the new location is being identified,” Congress’ general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, who is an aide of Gandhi, said.

A day earlier, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said the Congress’ request was being looked into in consultation with security agencies.

The Northeastern state was hit by a wave of ethnic violence in mid-2023. Though the situation has improved sporadic incidents of violence continue to be reported.

Venugopal claimed Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra had met the chief secretary to seek permission and was assured of a nod.

Earlier in the day, the Congress unveiled the “vision document” and launched the website for the yatra, detailing the route and schedule of the march, which comes almost a year after the first one ended.

Route of Bharat Jodo 2.0

Responding to a query about INDIA bloc partners reservations about the timing of the yatra, Venugopal said that the Congress had begun preparations for the Lok Sabha elections.

“We are aware of the elections and have called 540 coordinators for Parliament elections. They all will be briefed about the party’s plan for the polls and wherever alliance candidates are fielded, we will work for them also,” Venugopal said.

Also Read: After Bharat Jodo, Rahul charts out Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai ahead of polls

The yatra comes as the 28-party opposition INDIA bloc is holding talks to stich up seat-sharing agreements for the general elections due in April-May.

The yatra will continue for 66 days, starting from Manipur on January 14 and ending in Mumbai on March 20. It will pass through 110 districts of 15 states and cover a distance of 6,713 kilometers.

The party plans to focus on three major issues — economic justice, social justice, and political justice. Nyay is Hindi from justice.