Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led long march traversed through Telangana for 18 days before it entered the Nanded district in Maharashtra on Monday, 7 November.
The 3,570-km Kanniyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra — or Unite India March — is a long fight, a march of perseverance, an attempt to feel the soul of India.
The yatris soak in — albeit in small measures — the local culture and traditions, like Gandhi’s self-flagellation while performing Dhimsa, a traditional dance form popular among the tribespeople in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
He also donned the role of Pothuraju, a Hindu folk deity celebrated in Telangana during the Bonalu festival.
Several people, known and unknown, have joined the march ever since it was flagged off from Kanniyakumari on 7 September 2022. It has since travelled through five states before crossing over to Maharashtra.
Actress Pooja Bhatt and Radhika Vemula, mother of late Dalit scholar Rohit Vemula, were among the known faces who joined the 375-km march in Telangana.
There are several unknown faces who have been pressing on with Gandhi, like Michael Raj, Dinesh Sharma, and Suraj Sharma.
They hail from three different states, separated by long distances, diverse cultures and traditions. They have come together for the cause the yatra is promoting — to unite India against the politics of fear, bigotry, prejudice and divisiveness.
South First caught up with the trio, who represents the harmony and unity between diverse cultures that reflect the true spirit of the Yatra.
Handicap is no bar
Michael Raj, 35, of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is visually impaired. The handicap, however, did not prevent him from joining the yatra in Kanniyakumari.
“I have walked more than 700 km till now. I walked 450 km in Kerala and the remaining more than 250 km in the other four states. I feel positive and motivated when I meet other differently-abled people during the course of the yatra”, Raj, a Congress worker, told South First.
A friend, Anil Bose has been assisting Raj, who walks three days in each state.
“I return home after the first three days in each state. I plan to continue the yatra till it ends in Kashmir in this fashion”, he said.
Popular among the Keralite group in the march, Raj’s only challenge is the vehicles on the road.
“I have to be careful. There are so many two-wheelers,” he added.
The pledge of Dinesh
Dinesh Sharma is from Jind in Haryana,. He has been walking barefoot since 7 September.
“I have taken a pledge that I will wear slippers only after Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of India. I will complete this yatra barefoot”, he told South First, claiming that he has been associated with Gandhi for the past 12 years.
His attire, a traditional kurta and a saffron turban, is inspired by the Congress flag. The attire has imprints of Rahul Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
“Sometimes the roads are not suitable to walk, but I thank the Almighty that I could walk barefooted so far,” Dinesh said pointing at his feet, covered in dirt and dust.
Making friends
Suraj Sharma, 22, has come down from Solan in Himachal Pradesh to join the yatra.
He is also physically challenged. For him, the Bharat Jodo Yatra is about meeting people and making new friends.
While speaking to South First, he said that the best part so far was to come across a diverse set of people from different states, cutting across religion, caste, and class.
“I got to know about this yatra through social media, and planned to join it in Telangana. While walking, I eat and talk with people I have never met before. Isn’t this what Bharat Jodo means,” Suraj asked.
