– Mohd Naushad Khan
The meaning and contour of Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) may be different but the central idea is to protect and preserve the Idea of India. It’s to stimulate the concept of unity and diversity which is facing serious threats due to the homogeneous mindset, dominating culture and aggressive majoritarianism.
What will be the impact of BJNY when there is injustice everywhere is too early to say. Experts think that BJNY could be perhaps the last move to stop India from being transformed into a Hindurashtra.
The earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra proved instrumental in Rahul’s image-makeover. He was able to demolish the political narrative hurled against him from time to time. Impressive win in Karnataka is also attributed to Bharat Jodo Yatra but what will be the impact of BJNY on 2024 Lok Sabha elections is too early to speculate. But apart from political impact, Rahul’s yatra is significant for promotion of inclusive social justice against hate agenda.
According to Afroz Alam, Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, “BJNY is undeniably acting as a significant morale booster for party members. It offers the Congress an opportunity to connect with voters directly, showcase their policies, and possibly persuade undecided voters with a solid alternative to the existing regime.”
“Nevertheless, the timing and strategy of the Yatra, especially with elections looming, could have been more strategic. Focusing on state-specific, shorter routes might have been more impactful, such as a journey from Kashi to Ayodhya, which could have had significant implications. This approach would have also afforded the party more time to focus on crucial electoral strategies like seat allocation, narrative building, and strengthening alliances,” said Alam.
Dr. Prem Chand, Sr. Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, ARSD College, University of Delhi, “BJY sought to unite the country in the face of growing hatred, intolerance and divisions in the society. That’s why its main focus was to highlight the idea of India enshrined in the motto “Unity in Diversity”. While the BJY focused the issues of secularism, unity and diversity as constitutional values, BJNY is centred around the idea of justice, particularly social and economic justice. Social Justice has never been the main plank of Congress. It shows a shift in Congress’s thinking as it is certainly picking up the issues which it has otherwise shied away from making their main electoral agenda.”
Dr Narender Nagarwal, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, said, “BJNY can potentially derail the BJP’s Modi ki Guarantee campaign. The Congress leader emphasized that every citizen has the right to know the exact population of OBCs, minority communities, tribal and general classes, and for that, a caste-based census is a revolutionary step to ensure social justice in the country. However, the yatra is a message to the youth of India that the upcoming election is a make-or-break one.”
Nagarwal added, “The Congress leadership should also spread the message that they will fight for the rights of all sections of society if they come to power. It should be more vocal on issues such as unemployment, educational rights of marginalized communities, massive corruption, unprecedented violence against Muslims in Uttarakhand, promulgation of discriminatory and unconstitutional laws viz. UCC of Uttarakhand, privatization of armed forces in the name of Agniveer scheme, and demands of the farmers that must be considered sympathetically.”
Dr Maskoor Usmani, Ex-president of AMU Students Union, said, “BJNY will bring back the idea of India dreamt by Nehru, Gandhi, Patel, Bose, Bhagat Singh and other stalwarts of the country who sacrificed for the freedom of our country.”
