Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra Stopped in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously declared that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, would not be allowed to enter the city of Guwahati to prevent traffic disruptions. This decision led to protests from Congress workers as barricades were broken, and slogans were raised. The police resorted to using force to stop the supporters from advancing.

Large crowds had gathered at Guwahati Chowk in Khanapara to welcome Rahul Gandhi, expressing their support with slogans and drum beats. AICC in-charge for Assam, Jitendra Singh, claimed victory, stating, “We have won as we have broken the barricades.”

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, having entered Meghalaya on the previous day, returned to Assam for its final leg, scheduled to traverse through the outskirts of Guwahati. The yatra was expected to stay in Assam until Thursday. The Congress party had accused the Assam government of attempting to hinder the yatra since it entered the state on Thursday.

On Tuesday, nearly 5,000 Congress workers, including Rahul Gandhi, tried to enter Guwahati but were intercepted. This led to clashes with police officials, and the breaking of police barriers. The situation escalated, requiring the police to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

Also Read:India Becomes World’s 4th Largest Stock Market Surpasses Hong Kong

Addressing a gathering near the Guwahati border, Rahul Gandhi asserted that his party workers would not break the rules or disrupt law and order. He highlighted that this did not indicate weakness, stating, “Assam CM, the Union Home Minister, and the PM can break the rules, but we (Congress) would never do such a thing. However, this doesn’t mean that we are weak. Congress workers are ‘Babbar Sher.'”

Before heading to Guwahati, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had instructed the Assam CM to prevent him from meeting students, which was scheduled for that day. He emphasized the importance of allowing students to listen to whomever they want and criticized the restrictions on language and history in schools and colleges in Assam. Rahul Gandhi concluded by claiming that efforts were being made to “enslave” students in the Northeast and India.

#WATCH | A clash broke out between Police and Congress workers in Assam's Guwahati, during Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/WxitGxup3m

— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024