By Pawan Khera and Manish Khanduri
There were kilometres long lines as the yatris this day started their evening journey from Giriyammanahally; testament again to the passion amongst people who’re joining the #BharatJodoYatra.
There are several reasons that the Congress party is undertaking this yatra; one of the underlying principles is the sense of economic injustice that has become a characteristic of this BJP regime. While crony capitalism has led to a handful of businesses illegitimately acquiring obscene wealth, small and medium businesses are facing extinction. Unemployment is at an all time high.
Ironically India, demographically one of the youngest nations in the world also has perhaps amongst the highest number of unemployed.
The yatris marched for tens of millions of Indian youth, their careers and futures.
In the afternoon Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, held what is probably the single largest interaction of this Yatra when he met an estimated 2000 unemployed youth from Karnataka, in a session organised by the IYC in Karnataka. There was a free exchange of ideas in which the youth outlined their dire situation, highlighting the long struggle for employment, and how skilled labour was leaving India because of a lack of opportunities.
Yatri Mahender Vohra summarised it best “We’re walking for India’s future. The BJP government’s policies have not only seen dramatic reduction in jobs, by selling national assets they are further reducing employment opportunities.”
Above: Yatri Mahendra Vohra (foreground) says they are “walking for India’s future”
The yatris took their evening break after arriving at the Hirehalli Toll Plaza accompanied by a large crowd of Congtess cadres and locals.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra is presently in the state of Karnataka. Over 21 days in the state, it will cover 511 kilometres.
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)
End of Day Travel Facts
1. Current District Name – Chitradurga
2. Chitradurga is famous for its picturesque forts.
3. According to the Mahabharatha, Chitradurga hill was the residing place of Hidimbasura.
4. Turuvanuru village, located in the Chitradurga district, has a strong association with the freedom struggle. It shot into fame as one of the centre for Mahatma Gandhi’s call for the liquor prohibition in India in 1939.
5. Chitradurga district was one of the main centres in Karnataka during the Quit India Movement, 1942
6. Chitradurga is one of the country’s driest districts. It has witnessed 59 droughts in a century, from 1901 to 2000, according to the district’s agriculture department.
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