IMPHAL: Chief Minister N Biren Singh, declined permission to launch the Congress party’s ambitious “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East.
State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra while speaking to the press on Wednesday, revealed that the Chief Minister cited the current unfavourable situation in Manipur as the basis for denying permission for the rally.
The decision prompted disappointment among Congress party members, who had officially submitted an application on January 2 seeking approval for the 66-day march.
After a meeting with Chief Minister Singh, Meghachandra expressed his discontent with the government’s stand.
“We met Chief Minister Singh for permission for the yatra, but he declines to grant it. It’s very unfortunate since the venue is a public ground. It’s a violation of people’s rights and murder of democracy,” he said.
He disclosed that the party, under the leadership of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), would proceed with the event at a private venue in light of the denied permission.
“We are looking for alternatives for the yatra and will go ahead with it as planned. Since it’s a non-political yatra, we will stick to our launch date of January 14,” said Meghachandra.
Meghachandra stressed that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, covering an extensive 6,713 kilometres, was apolitical and organised for the welfare of the people.
The yatra, scheduled to commence from Manipur on January 14 and conclude in Mumbai on March 20, has the backing of the AICC, with Congress president Malik Arjun Kharge set to flag off the event.
The Congress party had envisioned the “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” as a non-political venture, focusing on social, economic, and political aspects of the nation.
Meghachandra underlined that the rally, with the slogan “Until we get our right to justice”, aims to prioritise the concerns and aspirations of the people across the 15 states it plans to traverse.
Despite the setback in Manipur, the Congress party remains determined to proceed with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, viewing it as a significant initiative to engage with the public on crucial issues affecting the nation.
