Imphal, Jan 13: As most parts of northern India is dominated by the fervor of religious fanaticism threatening to warp the moral compass of the nation, Rahul Gandhi, scion of the illustrious Nehru-Gandhi family, stands poised to embark on the historic Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. This journey not only embraces the ideological legacy of his lineage but also shoulders the responsibility of rekindling hope and courage within the grand old party's cadres nationwide.
This unsettling tableau of
societal inequality takes on a distinct hue in the Hindi heartland, Modi's
political stronghold. Here, it serves as an alternative, albeit vengeful,
response to years perceived as wasted in minority appeasement, undermining the
morale and respect of the Hindu community. Yet, amidst this narrative, we must
acknowledge the role of propaganda and misinformation that has woven a
distorted tapestry, blurring the fabric of India's communal harmony.
Overlooking the rational
approach adopted by India's founding leaders in the aftermath of the
partition, the ruling regime has successfully castigated those who brought
freedom and laid the foundations of the republic.
In the wake of this
ideological shift, Manipur, a northeastern state, finds itself engulfed in
flames of ethnic violence, a stark contrast to the jubilant celebrations
broadcasted on television screens.
A leader's duty is to
guide their people from darkness to light, to promote knowledge in times of
ignorance, and to extend empathy when tragedy strikes. However, for Modi, the
pressing agenda is a return to power in the upcoming general elections. A strategic
use of political cards is prioritized, selectively focusing on elements that
yield political benefits while cunningly ignoring those that may serve a
greater societal good.
The very mention of
"Gandhi" sends shivers down the spines of those orchestrating this
political theater. An entire machinery is deployed to ridicule and denigrate
Rahul Gandhi's intellect, revealing the stakes at play on the national stage.
As I walk the streets of
Manipur on this Saturday evening, a sense of hope and euphoria pervades the
air. People yearn not for material gains but for a compassionate ear, a warm
embrace, and assurance that normalcy will return. In their eyes, from mothers
to young boys and girls, a tiny ray of hope glimmers.
For the Nehru-Gandhi
family, this is not merely a political battle for power; it is an opportunity
to lead by example, to reciprocate the love this nation has bestowed upon them.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, commencing from Manipur, symbolizes the Congress
party's endeavor to shape the narrative for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. It
aims to spotlight crucial issues such as unemployment, price rise, and social
justice.
This transformative yatra
will span 6,713 km, traversing 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats, and 337
assembly segments across 15 states in 67 days, culminating in Mumbai on March
20. As Rahul Gandhi leads this journey, I see it as a call to heal a nation in
turmoil, to re-establish the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and
fraternity enshrined in the Constitution.
(Saket Suman is the author of The
Psychology of a Patriot. Views expressed are strictly personal)
