Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul Gandhi says BJP-RSS may not be considering Manipur as a part of India

Addressing a public meeting in Thoubal, which is south of Manipur’s capital Imphal, Gandhi also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying perhaps Manipur was not a part of India for the BJP and the RSS.

“Lakhs of people faced losses, but the prime minister has not come here to wipe your tears, hold your hand, or embrace you. Maybe for Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the RSS, Manipur is not a part of India. Your pain is not their pain,” Gandhi said.

The #BharatJodoNyayYatra begins, embarking on a journey to address critical issues & champion justice.

Join us in this collective effort for positive change! 🇮🇳

𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐲 𝐊𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐪 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤 pic.twitter.com/SPz8QmFP1l

— Congress (@INCIndia) January 14, 2024

Related: Rahul Gandhi leads Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur

Accuses PM of running away

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed the prime minister, saying that Modi came to the northeastern state only to seek votes and not to share the grief when the people of the state were in pain.

“We understand the pain that the people of Manipur have been through, we understand the hurt, the sadness. We will bring back harmony, peace and affection for which this state was known,” Gandhi said.

“Modi has time to drive by the sea, take a dip in the sea but has not come to Manipur. Modi keeps chanting ‘Ram, Ram’, but he should not do it to seek votes. The BJP mixes religion and politics, and incites people,” he said at the launch of the yatra.

Why #BharatJodoNyayYatra?

Because we are enduring a period of profound injustice in India—social, economic & political.

Injustice persists against people and traditions, with widespread issues across the nation.

Economically, monopolies are forming; a few individuals have… pic.twitter.com/AJ2gN82OzH

— Congress (@INCIndia) January 14, 2024

“The BJP has ‘Ram’ on its lips but carries a knife by their side. They should not have such an approach towards people,” the Congress president said.

Also Read: Consensus on Kharge’s appointment as chairperson of INDIA bloc

‘To save Constitution and democracy’

Kharge said the Congress stood for social justice, secularism and equity. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is being undertaken to save the Constitution and democracy, and fight the fascist forces, he said.

The Congress president said he was proud that a leader of his party was moving from door to door to spread the message of peace.

“BJP mixes religion with politics, incites people; we fight for secularism, equality, social justice,” Kharge said.

“When Jawaharlal Nehru first visited Manipur, he described it as the jewel of India. And the same was said by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi,” the Congress leader added.

The Yatra “is aimed at ensuring employment for people, and is against price rise and for the rights of farmers,” said the Congress president.

पंडित जवाहरलाल नेहरू जी ने मणिपुर को Jewel of India कहा था।

मणिपुर के बारे में यही बात इंदिरा गांधी जी और राजीव गांधी जी ने कही थी।

मणिपुर के लोग देश की आजादी के लिए लड़े। यहां के लोग बहुत बहादुर हैं, देश की एकता में अपना हाथ बटाते आए हैं। मैं यहां के लोगों का धन्यवाद देता हूं।… pic.twitter.com/4w0PDpSe2r

— Congress (@INCIndia) January 14, 2024

Earlier, Kharge unveiled the bus on which Gandhi and other Congress leaders will travel from Manipur to Mumbai as part of the yatra.

Rahul Gandhi also paid homage at the Khongjom War Memorial in Manipur’s Thoubal district.

Gandhi reached the Imphal airport in the afternoon and was accorded a rousing welcome by Congress supporters.

From there, he went straight to the memorial. After paying homage to those killed in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, he spent a few minutes there.

He then went to a nearby private ground, named ‘Nyay Maidan’, where the yatra was commenced from.

(With PTI inputs)