By Pawan Khera and Manish Khanduri
Early showers delayed the start of the yatra by an hour or so. But they cleared up soon enough, so that the Yatris did not lose more time as they commenced their journey from Harthikote this morning. Once started, the walk itself was under pleasant conditions, “unlike yesterday where there were patches where we walked on muddy roads,” says Yatri Shauryaveer Singh, “Today was mostly on the highway where it was easier.”
During the session, walking alongside Gandhi, among others, were two social and human rights activists. Salil Shetty, previous Secretary General of Amnesty International. Also Nikhil Dey of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, an organisation known for its work in helping bring about the Right To Information Act.
Rahul Gandhi walked with Salil Shetty, former Secretary General of Amnesty International and Nikhil Dey, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan
Yatris were particularly struck by the number of people from tribal communities lining the way. “It was a very pleasant experience to interact with these groups, to listen to their unique music and songs as they welcomed us.”
It was a comparatively longer morning walk, 14 kilometres before the yatris arrived at their midday break at Sanikere.
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)
Midday 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 centres 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