Permission to Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Nyay Yatra' only after security review: Manipur CM N Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on January 9 spoke on Congress' 'Bharat Nyay Yatra', stating that the current law and order situation in the state is critical. 

"The decision to permit Rahul Gandhi's rally is under active consideration. Reports from various security agencies are being reviewed. A definitive decision will be made after the assessment of these reports", said CM N Biren Singh while speaking to the media.

The Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, has planned a Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which is scheduled to commence from Imphal on January 14th and conclude in Mumbai on March 20th. However, the state government has not yet granted permission for the launch of this 6,500km yatra. Congress officials, including general secretary K C Venugopal and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra, have met with the chief secretary and urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to prioritize peace over party politics, emphasizing that the yatra aims to ensure the future of Manipur and is not merely a political endeavor.

The yatra is a strategic move by the Congress party ahead of the upcoming national elections and serves as a sequel to the earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra.

During this 66-day-long journey, Rahul Gandhi will traverse approximately 6,713 kilometers (about 4,171 miles), covering 14 states and 85 districts. The yatra will pass through Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat before reaching Maharashtra. It is expected to engage with 355 Lok Sabha constituencies, which accounts for roughly 65% of all parliamentary seats in India.

The Congress party has highlighted that the Bharat Nyaya Yatra will not be entirely on foot; instead, it will adopt a hybrid mode of travel, utilizing buses for longer stretches due to time constraints imposed by the general election and health concerns of the party's elderly leaders. However, Rahul Gandhi will also engage in short walks for certain distances, known as padayatras, to connect with people on a more personal level.

The slogan for the yatra is "Nyay Ka Haq Milne Tak" ("Until we get our right to justice"), emphasizing the pursuit of justice for all. The Congress party intends to raise awareness about various injustices, including unemployment, inflation, the rich-poor divide, and issues related to farmers, while also promoting social justice by addressing caste census and advocating for the equitable development of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

This initiative by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party is a concerted effort to reach out to the Indian populace, particularly those who feel marginalized or neglected by the current administration, and to present an alternative narrative to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's policies.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed concerns about the current law and order situation in the state, which has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 2023, resulting in significant casualties and injuries. The unrest has primarily involved conflicts between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal community. In light of these tensions, the Chief Minister has indicated that the decision to permit the Congress-led rally is under active consideration, with reports from various security agencies being reviewed to assess the potential impact on the already delicate situation in Manipur.

Also read : Manipur: Centre asks state to study delisting Kukis, Zomis from ST list