The Delhi Congress will commemorate the first anniversary of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra by organising rallies in all districts of the national capital on Thursday (September 7). In line with the directives from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), these rallies are scheduled to commence at 5 PM, and participation by all Delhi Congress leaders is expected.
While addressing a press conference in Delhi, party leader and former MLA Mukesh Sharma revealed these plans and highlighted the enthusiasm among Congress workers and the general public for the anniversary rallies. Despite Janmashtami celebrations taking place on September 7, there is considerable anticipation for the Bharat Jodo Yatra anniversary events.
"Though people would be celebrating the Janmashtami festival on September 7, there is tremendous enthusiasm among Congress workers and the general public for the Bharat Jodo Yatra anniversary rallies," Sharma was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely has actively coordinated preparations for the rallies and urged the district unit chiefs to ensure maximum participation from grassroots-level party members. It has been decided that rallies will not take place within the New Delhi District Police jurisdiction.
Earlier this week, the Congress announced its intention to conduct 'padyatras' in 722 districts on September 7 to commemorate the launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The goal is to spread a message of love in a climate of hate. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, initiated by Rahul Gandhi on September 7, 2022, covered 4,081 kilometers across 12 states, two Union territories, 75 districts, and 76 Lok Sabha constituencies. It featured numerous meetings, group interactions, press conferences, and addressed pressing national issues.
"Bharat Jodo Yatra had an electrifying effect all over India and on our cadre," Congress general secretary in-charge K C Venugopal said at a press conference alongside senior leader Jairam Ramesh.
He stated that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has inspired all those who believe in democracy and the values of this country.
He described the Bharat Jodo Yatra as a historic event that altered the course of Indian history in a post on the microblogging site X. According to Venugopal, 722 districts in India will be reminded of the message of "Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan" (opening a shop to spread love in a market of hatred).
Participants in the march included film and television celebrities such as Kamal Haasan, Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri, and Amol Palekar.
In addition, writers and military veterans, such as former Army Chief Gen (Retd) Deepak Kapoor and ex-Navy Chief Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas, as well as prominent figures such as former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and ex-Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram, took part in the yatra.
Opposition leaders including Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP, Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena, Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena, and Sanjay Raut of the NCP walked alongside Gandhi at various points during the march.