Congress Leaders Allege Repeated Attacks and Obstruction from BJP Workers and Assam Government
The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi entered its 4th day in Assam amidst continuing controversy and alleged attempts to obstruct, attack and derail the march by BJP workers and the state government.
As the march moved from Dabaka towards Jamugurihat, vehicles in the convoy of senior Congress leaders were attacked. General Secretary Jairam Ramesh’s car was vandalised and stones were pelted at the cars of media personnel travelling along. The Congress has alleged that this was done by BJP workers. Jairam Ramesh later tweeted pictures of the damage and said:
Whenever the BJP is scared, they attack the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Assam government is most corrupt in the country and the CM loses mental balance when it comes to Rahul Gandhi.
The Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has vowed to take action against the perpetrators. But Congress alleges that the state machinery has been constantly attempting to create hurdles at every step.
Earlier, an FIR was also filed against the Yatra lead and senior Congress leaders for allegedly violating the pre-approved route. The Assam state Congress unit has called this a tactic to derail the march and arrest its leaders.
Crowds Shout Slogans Against Rahul Gandhi, Attempt to Attack Him
At several points along the march, crowds carrying BJP flags and chanting “Modi-Modi” have shouted slogans against Rahul Gandhi.
On Saturday, an unruly mob surrounded Rahul Gandhi’s vehicle and security team had to swiftly intervene and form a protective ring around him to rescue him safely. Congress has alleged this was an attack attempt by BJP cadres.
Videos circulating on social media show Rahul Gandhi reacting to the crowds by blowing flying kisses and waving at them. He later told reporters – “Congress is not scared of anybody”.
BJP leaders have alleged that Rahul Gandhi lost his cool at the Jai Shri Ram and Modi slogans. But Congress maintains he responded with grace.
Rahul Gandhi Terms Assam CM as “India’s Most Corrupt CM”
Addressing rallies in the state, Rahul Gandhi has lashed out against Himanta Biswa Sarma and called his government the “most corrupt in India”.
He said the Assam goverment is spreading lies that if the Yatra passes through the state, it will lead to chaos. In reality, they feel threatened by the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, he added.
Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP and RSS of dividing the country on religious lines and fostering hatred between communities. Through this yatra, the Congress aims to unite Indians across castes and faiths, he emphasized.
Local Congress Leaders Also Face Violent Attacks
Apart from national level leaders, local Assam Congress leaders have also seemingly faced retaliation for participating in the Yatra events.
On Sunday, Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi’s car was gheraoed by men with sticks who tried to attack the vehicles in the convoy. Youth Congress state president Angkita Dutta’s car window was smashed.
The worst attack was faced by General Secretary Bhupen Borah, who was beaten up brutally by around 100 men armed with sticks as he emerged from his vehicle. He sustained grave injuries as the assault continued for several minutes before police arrived at the spot.
Timeline of Controversies During Assam Leg of Yatra
| Date | Incident |
|---|---|
| Jan 20 | FIR against Yatra lead for route deviation |
| Jan 21 | Attack on Jairam Ramesh’s car |
| Jan 21 | Attempt by crowd to assault Rahul Gandhi |
| Jan 21 | Mob chants slogans outside Rahul’s hotel |
| Jan 22 | Bhupen Borah beaten up brutally |
| Jan 22 | Stones pelted at Kurmi and Angkita’s cars |
Mallikarjun Kharge Says “BJP Scared by Success of Yatra”
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly condemned the alleged attacks by BJP workers on the Bharat Jodo Yatra participants in Assam.
In a press meet, he questioned why BJP cadres are resorting to violence if the Yatra does not bother them. He accused the BJP of being rattled by the groundswell of support the Yatra is witnessing after covering 2200 km. Hence they want to “strangulate the voice of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party”.
Kharge vowed that the march will not be cowed down by “physical attacks” which expose BJP’s “intolerance to democracy”. Police protection to the Yatra will be heightened after the repeated attacks, he informed.
What Next for The Yatra?
The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Assam from Manipur on January 18th. It has covered 5 districts so far and will go through a total of 7 districts in Assam before entering Arunachal Pradesh.
It is scheduled to cover a total distance of 3,750 km over 150 days before culiminating in Srinagar on January 30.
However, given the continuous attempts to obstruct its progress by BJP workers and allegations of state goverment hostility, the Congress has said that they are reviewing the security situation on a daily basis. Further route changes cannot be ruled out if the present atmosphere of political violence persists.
Congress leaders have asserted that nobody can stop the Bharat Jodo Yatra before it achieves its objective to unite the country with bonds of brotherhood and expose the BJP’s politics of divisiveness.
Over the next few days, the Yatra is set to pass through BJP strongholds, indicating that tensions between political workers may continue to escalate. The Congress plans to step up its protests over the alleged state-aided attacks on its march.
As the Yatra covers the remainder of its ambitious route, the odds seem stacked against it. But Rahul Gandhi believes that the show must go on to convey the Congress’ message of unity and harmony from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
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