Srinagar, Jan 29 (KNS): Congress leader and Member of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi Sunday said the Bharat Jodo Yatra received a massive response in the country and added, "Despite differences of opinions, the opposition parties stand united against BJP and RSS".
Addressing press conference here in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi expressed high hopes for Bharat Jodo Yatra noting that the yatra will definitely impact the politics in India in times to come. "BJY will have impact on Indian polity, what it will be I can't tell right now," he said.
"We saw the resilience and strength of the people of India during this journey. We also got to hear about the issues being faced by farmers and unemployed youth in the country," he said.
About Kashmir, he said that the restoration of democratic process and statehood is imperative and the fundamental right of the people. “If the situation has improved as per assertions of ruling dispensation, let Union Home Minister Amit Shah hold a rally from Jammu to Srinagar,” he said. Pointing out that targeted killings and bomb blasts have become a regular occurrence in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Gandhi said, "If the situation is so good why don't the BJP people walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk?"
He also said the government is under the impression that Chinese haven't taken any land from India. "A Ladakhi delegation clearly said that 2000 sq km of Indian territory was taken by Chinese. They also said that many patrolling points that used to be in India are now firmly in Chinese hands," Gandhi added.
He also said the approach Government is following by completely denying that the Chinese have taken our land is dangerous and it'll give them more confidence to do more aggressive things. "We've to deal with the Chinese firmly & tell them they are sitting on our land which won't be tolerated," he said.
Rahul Gandhi unfurled the national flag at the historic clock tower of Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar as part of the Kanyakumari to Kashmir 'Bharat Jodo Yatra on Sunday. After hoisting the Tricolour at Srinagar's Lal Chowk, Rahul Gandhi said that a promise made to India was fulfilled. The Congress leader said in a tweet, "Hate will lose, love will always win. There will be a new dawn of hopes in India.
Earlier in the day, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Rahul Gnadhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra has spread the message of love to every corner of the country and urged the party's supporters to unite for taking the nation forward.
Meanwhile, the PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi unfurled the national flag here under “different circumstances” when Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a military garrison and assurances given by the Constitution demolished by the BJP. She said former prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru first hoisted the tricolour in Kashmir in 1948 amongst a sea of people was a momentous occasion marked by celebrations.
“Today history stands witness as RG (Rahul Gandhi) unfurled the same flag albeit under completely different circumstances at a time when J and K has been turned into a military garrison. Assurances given by Indian Constitution have been demolished by BJP and is a complete betrayal," Mehbooba said in a series of tweets.
The yatra, which began from Kanyakumari on September 7 last year, reached here this morning after covering a distance of 4,080 kilometres and covering 75 districts spread over 14 states and union territories of the country. (KNS)