By Pawan Khera and Manish Khanduri
Both weather conditions and the terrain seemed to become a little more formidable on this 130th day of the #BharatJodoYatra, with the additional promise that it could get even tougher in the next few days. However the public response to the Yatris was, as always, enthusiastic and inspiring.
The morning’s was a short walk of around 6 kilometres or so, starting from the Sitni Bypass area at 8 am and ended at 9:30am at Nagrota. A significant portion of the walk was through the army cantonment area of Nagrota, and while the Yatris saw people all along the route, it was comparatively less populated.
And yet the response the Yatris receive was no less enthusiastic. “At several points along the way we could see the armed forces personnel responding with waves and thumbs up signs to our passage,” says Yatri Rajesh Verma. And what could be more inspirational than the sight of Arsh Quadir, 4, smartly dressed up in the uniform of a soldier of the Indian Army?
What could be more inspirational than the sight of Arsh Quadir, 4, smartly dressed up in the uniform of a soldier of the Indian Army?
At several points along the way we could see the armed forces personnel responding with waves and thumbs up signs to our passage,” says Yatri Rajesh Verma (Left)
Along the way Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met with a delegation from Ladakh, celebrated author Perumal Murugan, and actor Urmila Matondkar.
The weather however seemed to take a turn for the worse at the lunch spot at Jhajjar Kotli. The skies seemed to darken and the wind speeds picked up. However the Yatris spent the free time with their typical vim and energy. For example Lalji Desai, chief organiser of the Congress Seva Dal, led a large group in an extended session of songs and slogan chanting.
Mewanhile Gandhi and other Congress leaders held a press conference in the afternoon. Responding to a question Gandhi reiterated the goals of the Yatra. “The aim of this Yatra is to unite the nation, to end the hatred spread by BJP/RSS, to fight against the concentration of the nation’s wealth towards two or three selected individuals” he stated.
In answer to another question he said that “The hatred and violence (the BJP) is spreading damages the country.” On the suppression of institutions by the government he said that “You can supress the press, you can control the institutions, you can use CBI, ED. But the truth is the truth, it shines bright.”
The afternoon session was another short walk of around 8.5 kilometres. Crowd volumes were to kick up a notch; however, early into the walk it started to rain and despite a brief pause here and there, it continued to intensify. Soon the Yatris were walking in a persistent cold drizzle.
Even so the Yatris walked through Udhampur to a rousing reception by crowds everywhere. It didn’t seem to matter that it was cold and wet, still the crowds came. “The atmosphere was electric” says Naveen Paswan, Yatri. Waiting were individuals like Sunny who said that they were there to “See the Yatra and catch a glimpse of Rahul Gandhi.” Or Rekha Devi whose goal was to “Welcome all the Yatris passing by.”
Rekha Devi (fourth from left) said she was there to “Welcome all the Yatris passing by”
This session was also notable for the participation of Congress leaders from Uttarakhand who walked in the Yatra to highlight the emerging environmental and humanitarian crisis in Joshimath and the a complete failure on part of the BJP central and state governments to to proactively address the situation. In turn Gandhi stated that he would visit Joshimath in February on the completion of the Yatra.
This group from Uttarakhand walked with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to highlight the emerging crisis in Joshimath
The Yatris retired to their end of day camp, with news that it was snowing a few kilometres ahead. But the Yatra continues.
Currently in Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharat Jodo Yatra is a five month, 3500 kilometre long Padyatra from Kanyakumari in the South of India to Kashmir up in the North. It is part of the party’s national mass outreach program aimed at highlighting social polarisation, economic inequalities and political centralisation.
Ground research: Aparna Ashwarya (INC Communications Department research team)
Travel Facts
1. Districts names: Jammu, Udhampur
2. Jammu city is known as the City of Temples for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines.
3. Jammu city is a focal point for the pilgrims going to Kashmir valley and Vaishno Devi.
4. Udhampur district is known as the “Land of Natural Waters” as a large number of water springs are available in the district.
5. Udhampur is famous for its lush green eucalyptus forests.
6. Udhampur district is a strategically important district of India as it is in close proximity to the neighboring country Pakistan and northern command headquarters for the Indian Army.
Tweet of the day: