San Francisco: Speaking at an event in San Francisco today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Central government and said that Modi-led government used ‘all its strength’ to stop the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“They (BJP) threatened people and misused government machinery but nothing worked and the impact of the yatra increased. This has happened because the idea of ‘Bharat Jodo’ is in everyone’s heart,” Gandhi said here, who is on a three-city tour of the US.
During his week-long visit to the US, Gandhi is also expected to address Indian-Americans and interact with Wall Street officials and university students.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra started from Kanyakumari on September 7 in 2022 and covered a distance of over 3,000 km before culminating in Srinagar on January 30, where Rahul Gandhi hoisted the national flag.
“The Bharat Jodo Yatra carried forward the spirit of affection, respect and humility. If one studies history, it can be seen that all the spiritual leaders including Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Basavanna Ji, Narayana Guru Ji united the country in a similar way,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks come weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. Pm Modi will arrive in the US on June 22 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The US President and the First Lady will also host a state dinner for PM Modi on June 22.
At the community event in San Francisco, Rahul Gandhi reiterated his party’s call for a caste census. He said it would be like an “X-ray” of society, which would reveal the extent of caste discrimination. He also said that schemes like NYAY and MNREGA will help the poor get economic justice.
Gandhi accused the BJP and the RSS of attacking the Constitution and said they were trying to divide the country on the basis of caste and religion.
He is scheduled to conclude his visit with a public meeting at the Javits Center in New York on June 4.