The Congress on Monday (September 7, 2026) hailed the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra as a “decisive turning point” that infused new hope, and said it was not to sermonise a “Mann ki Baat” but to listen to “Janta ki Chinta”.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said today (September 7, 2026) is the fourth anniversary of the launch of “the truly historic Bharat Jodo Yatra’ under the leadership of Mr, Gandhi, who visited the Vivekananda Memorial at Kanyakumari before embarking on the “epic journey” with around 120 other Bharat Yatris.
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“This padyatra was a transformational event in contemporary Indian politics that started in Kanyakumari and covered 4080 km through 12 states and 2 UTs over a period of 145 days before culminating in a rousing rally in Srinagar,” Mr. Ramesh said on X.
It drew support and sustenance from millions of Indians concerned with sharpening economic inequalities, increasing social polarisation and growing political authoritarianism, he said.
The padyatra’s basic thrust was an ideological challenge to the “systematic RSS/BJP assault” on Constitutional principles, provisions, practices and procedures, the Congress general secretary said.
It was not to sermonise a Mann ki Baat but to listen to Janta ki Chinta, Mr. Ramesh said.
“Today we recall that decisive turning point that infused new hope, imparted new energy and inspired a new resolve,” he added.
Congress general secretary, organisation, K.C. Venugopal also hailed the Yatra and said it sparked a “revolution” in society.
“I join millions of Indians in commemorating the 4th anniversary of the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra. What began at the intersection of the 3 great seas culminated with the coming together of crores of Indians,” he said on X.
“The eternal message of hope, compassion and togetherness – which is at India’s philosophical core – sparked a revolution in society, that hate must be defeated and India’s diverse communities must come together to save it,” Mr. Venugopal said.
Led by Rahul Gandhi, this became a Yatra that punctured the “Modi regime’s hoax and propaganda”, and made people realise that there is only one party that takes the message of love, secularism, equality and Constitutional values to every corner of India, he said.
“That it is clear that there is only one leader who can bring people together in this fight against injustice and hate,” Mr. Venugopal said.
“Yes, the Bharat Jodo Yatra was a pivotal moment. But our mission is yet incomplete. Let’s take a moment today to reiterate our commitment to saving India from fascists and rebuilding it in the vision of the founders of our great republic,” he said.
“India is eagerly waiting for the moment when their dreams become reality and the numerous ills we face are addressed by a compassionate, ethical regime,” Mr. Venugopal said.
During the course of the march, Mr. Gandhi addressed 12 public meetings, more than 100 street corner meetings and 13 press conferences. He had over 275 planned walking interactions and more than 100 sitting interactions.
The march witnessed participation from a cross-section of society, including film and TV celebrities such as Kamal Haasan, Pooja Bhatt, Riya Sen, Swara Bhasker, Rashami Desai, Akanksha Puri and Amol Palekar.
Besides, writers and military veterans, including former Army chief Gen (Retd) Deepak Kapoor and ex-Navy chief Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas, and noted people such as former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan and ex-finance secretary Arvind Mayaram also participated in the yatra.
Opposition leaders such as the National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Raut, and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Supriya Sule also walked alongside Mr. Gandhi at various points during the march.
Published – September 07, 2026 12:36 pm IST
