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The eighth day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra unfolded as the journey moved from the Rajgad-Hollongi border towards Biswanath, Arunachal Pradesh, adhering to its pre-determined schedule. Thousands of people were actively participating in the Nyay Yatra, eager to contribute to this noble cause. Today’s leg of the journey included a significant meeting between Shri Gandhi and Adv. Amoni Diru Pulom, whose father-in-law had been abducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2015.
The convoy then reached the Morning Star School in Rajgarh, Assam, where an enthusiastic and sizable crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of Shri Gandhi and the Congress’s Nyay Yatra. The local populace presented vibrant cultural programs to extend their warm welcome. Notably, this gathering included representatives from various political parties, setting aside differences to acknowledge and support the Congress’s commitment to the pursuit of justice.
Shri Gandhi’s convoy made its way to the memorial of freedom fighters Swahit Kanaklata and Mukund Kakati; a poignant moment unfolded as he offered floral tributes. The journey continued through the crowds of people, making its way towards Vishwanath Chariali village in Assam, where Shri Gandhi addressed a public gathering.
In his address to the public gathering, Shri Gandhi once again confronted both the central government and the state government of Assam. He remarked, “The youth have conveyed to us that unemployment is the most significant issue in the country. We acquire degrees and study in colleges, universities, and schools, but securing employment remains elusive in contemporary India. Farmers express that they do not reap the rewards of their hard work or receive the rightful compensation. Despite investing their sweat and toil, they are not adequately compensated. These concerns echo from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.”
Shri Gandhi also addressed the assaults carried out by the BJP-led state government on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, stating, “The entire nation is aware, and Assam as a whole knows that your Chief Minister and his entire family are among the most corrupt individuals. Now, they believe that by intimidating and threatening people, they can suppress them. They interfere with our permissions during the march, prevent people from attending, burn our flags, and bring down our banners. However, they fail to comprehend. This journey is not Rahul Gandhi’s alone. This journey represents the voice of the people of Assam. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor the people of Assam fear your Chief Minister, regardless of their actions.”
Shri Gandhi also highlighted his interaction with individuals employed in tea gardens during the public meeting. He shared, “We spend 7-8 hours interacting with you during this journey. Delegations of representatives come, we engage with farmers, small shopkeepers, and the youth to understand ongoing issues. For instance, the tea garden workers who recently met me expressed their challenges – receiving inadequate wages, lacking access to ambulances, and being exploited by company officials. We become aware of these issues during the journey, and subsequently, we fight for your causes. This encapsulates the essence of our journey’s objective.”
These anecdotes, he noted, exemplify the issues that the yatra aims to address and fight for on behalf of the people.
Subsequently, Shri Gandhi’s entourage made a stop for a lunch break, during which senior Congress leader Shri Jairam Ramesh addressed the media. Shri Ramesh briefed the media on how the Assam state government is actively attempting to hinder and intimidate the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The Congress leader launched a scathing critique of the state government, asserting, “The Chief Minister is unwell. He loses his mental balance whenever he hears the names Rahul ji and the Congress party. On the very first day, he observed that the women who had assembled for the state government’s program welcomed Rahul ji and chose to leave the state government’s event to meet him. Since then, he has been visibly agitated.”
The apprehension of the Assam state government is palpable, as today, BJP hooligans obstructed the vehicle of Congress General Secretary Shri Jairam Ramesh and vandalised the stickers of the yatra affixed to the vehicle. Not only that, these BJP hooligans brandishing BJP flags also assaulted members of the Congress social media team, including the cameraperson and women. This incident occurred directly under the directives of the Chief Minister of Assam. The ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ ‘s success has disturbed the BJP’s tranquillity. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X (previously Twitter)– I gather that the SP of the district in which the attacks took place on vehicles transporting me and my colleagues to the starting point of this afternoon’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is none other than the Assam CM’s younger brother.
Shri Gandhi’s yatra recommenced following lunch, starting from Jamugurihat and heading back to its destination. The entourage of the Nyay Yatra reached Sulung High School ground, Rajiv Gandhi Sports Ground, Kaliabor, Nagaon. Here, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Shri Rahul Gandhi inaugurated the public gathering by launching balloons into the air and extending greetings to the assembled crowd.
Addressing the public meeting, the Congress President remarked, “Recently, those who have departed from us to join the BJP in Assam, the ‘Newly Converted CM,’ are issuing threats. BJP members attacked our procession, vandalised car windows, and tore down posters/banners. We did not bow down to the British; why will we bow down to the BJP?”
He further highlighted that- The CM here forgets that there are numerous allegations of corruption against him, and there are cases filed under several sections. Rahul Gandhi rightly said that the CM of Assam is the most corrupt Chief Minister in the country. If he appears clean and honest today, it is only because of the magic of Modi and Amit Shah’s ‘Washing Machine.’
सबके लिए खुली है मोहब्बत की दुकान, जुड़ेगा भारत, जीतेगा हिंदुस्तान।🇮🇳
Posted by Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, January 21, 2024
Following the Congress President, Shri Rahul Gandhi addressed the public gathering. Speaking about the attacks on the Yatra, he directly criticised the central and state governments.
He stated, “For the past two to three days, I have been traversing the roads of Assam as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Wherever I go, people are naming the most corrupt CM of India – Hemant Biswa Sarma. Just a few kilometres from here, 20-25 BJP workers approached with the party flag in front of our bus. When I disembarked, they fled. Do they believe the Congress party is afraid of them? Tear our posters as much as you want, we are not afraid of Narendra Modi or Hemant Sarma.”
“The common people of Assam, mothers, sisters, and youths, have showered us with immense love. Around 10-15 BJP members attempted to disrupt us, but the people lavished us with affection. The government assumes they can pacify the people of Assam through fear and intimidation, but the people of Assam are fearless.”
With the proclamation of “Do not fear, do not tolerate,” today’s yatra proceeded towards the camp for the night’s rest.
“Any individual in the country who feels subjected to injustice, experiencing any form of unfair treatment, holds the potential to transform into a Nyay Yoddha. If you harbour the aspiration to become a Nyay Yoddha, give a missed call at 9891802024.”