Manipur Government Grants Limited Permission for Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

In a development that marks a compromise between political aspirations and maintaining law and order, the Manipur government has granted permission to the Congress party to flag off its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Imphal’s Palace Ground. However, the approval comes with the condition of allowing only a limited number of participants in an effort to prevent any potential untoward incidents or disruptions in law and order.

Scheduled to be flagged off on January 14, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, is set to conclude on March 20. The decision to impose limitations on the number of participants was conveyed through an order issued by the Imphal East district magistrate.

Earlier in the day, the Congress party had claimed that the authorities had initially denied permission to launch the march from the Palace Ground. Expressing disappointment, Manipur Congress chief K Meghachandra Singh stated, “The Chief Minister has declined to issue the ‘ground permission’ for launching the rally scheduled on January 14. The only reason he gave was the fragile law and order situation.”

Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Kukis and the Meities since May 3, resulting in over 200 casualties and the displacement of nearly 60,000 individuals. The fragile security situation in the state has been a cause for concern, prompting the government to exercise caution in permitting large public events.

“The Chief Minister has declined to issue the ‘ground permission’ for launching the rally scheduled on January 14,” Manipur Congress chief K Meghachandra Singh had said, reported The Indian Express. “The only reason he gave was the fragile law and order situation.”

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra aims to traverse 15 states, covering Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The Congress party intends to use the march as a platform to address various social and political issues, engaging with the public across these diverse regions.

Despite the limited approval, the Congress is expected to proceed with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, adapting to the prescribed conditions and emphasizing its commitment to raising awareness on crucial issues affecting the country.