Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi's Remarkable Rise from "Pappu" towards the Lead National Figure -- even if Intimate and Adorable

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Sukla Sen

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Oct 13, 2022, 11:36:05 PM10/13/22
to foil-l, Discussion list about emerging world social movement

Here is a press conference held by Rahul Gandhi on October 8 in Karnataka.
Fielding questions, including obviously unfriendly ones, with ready felicity.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mExjAdkaLM>.
This contrasts all too starkly with Modi's dogged refusal to face any--whether in India or abroad. (To be very precise, there had been a solitary exception in which he -- with Amit Shah by his side -- did not answer any question directed at him.)
Even aided with a teleprompter, a few fragments from his prepared speeches would also be highly relevant here:
CC. And nothing to beat this -- delivered to an august gathering made up of top-notch Supreme Court judges and members of legal community: <https://youtu.be/epCOrZ6VLv4> (19:15 - 19:17 mins.) or <https://fb.watch/eScBRHAqVh>.


Some Yatra glimpses.

I. AA.  Rahul Gandhi explains his (personal) mission as regards the Yatra. Whether sincere or contrived, doubtlessly pretty articulate: <https://twitter.com/harishrawatcmuk/status/1578728295751118849>.
BB. Explains the aims of the Yatra, in plain and simple Hindi: <https://youtu.be/lbk2pDK7mDM>.

II. Rahul Gandhi walks hand-in-hand with the mother, and sister, of the slain Bangalore journalist Gauri Lankesh:

III. Rahul Gandhi marching together with a band of young and enthusiastic performers of street theatre:

IV. Rahul Gandhi walking in the company of transgender activists while conversing with them:
This one is especially noteworthy as it makes bold to challenge deep-seated and widespread social prejudices.

V. In conversation with a differently abled boy, while lending a hand to help him keep pace: <https://youtu.be/bkx34mkY6HY>.

VI.
AA. With highly elated young girls:
CC. Young girls doing traditional Aarti to greet him: <https://twitter.com/INC_Television/status/1580564679419924482>.
DD. Congress response to Election Commission's attempt to thwart such lively interactions:

VII. In the rains -- and still fully charged up:
This one has become almost iconic.
VIII. Hugeness of the March:
IX. Eager and warm welcome by the locals: <https://twitter.com/INC_Television/status/1580564679419924482>.
X. Explaining his strategy for job creation in a public meet:
XI. Paving a lane to reconnect the Dalit community with the rest:
XII. Discussing problems of sanitation workers with the representatives: <https://m.facebook.com/rahulgandhi/videos/plight-of-sanitation-workers/1058538598034099/>.

XIII. Here is a noteworthy write-up, by a veteran scribe, assessing the Yatra and its prospects at its very initial stage:

A tweet by a Congress leader about the ongoing "Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY)" led by Rahul Gandhi claimed somewhat extravagantly, "Padyatra (walking on foot) transformed Shankar into Shankaracharya, Nanak into Guru Nanak, Mohandas into Mahatma Gandhi, Vinayak into Vinoba Bhave and Prince Ram into Lord Ram. Those who make fun of padyatras are foolish. They do not know history." 

How far is Rahul Gandhi's yatra likely to transform him and his party's political fortunes? It will require huge physical energy from Rahul Gandhi and his companions. Most people can walk for a few hours or a couple of days, but to continue walking for 150 days is a test of endurance and morale of different magnitude.

Initial public response to the 3,500 km walkathon should put party sceptics on the backfoot who thought the yatra a somewhat outdated mode of political mobilisation. Media reports suggest that people are spontaneously welcoming the Congress yatris (political pilgrims) and joining them for long stretches of the march. One report described the BJY as "more akin to a moving carnival than an arduous struggle." Still, it is early days yet to forecast how the BJY will pan out, and it might become overloaded with too many expectations.


Today, a month and a week since its launch, the Yatra has quite visibly been able to create a buzz. In fact, something more than that. No doubt about it.
It has not only triggered a wave of goodwill and active support, but, it has also been able to breach barriers and reach out to non-traditional constituencies. That's quite significant.

The carnivalesque mood of the Yatra -- strikingly different from the all-too-familiar stereotypes -- is not only helping to connect, but, also pretty much in keeping with the lead figure's studied and persistent efforts to offer an image of leadership -- warm, empathetic and humane -- visibly counterposed to 56" aggressive machismo, as deliberately conveyed also via the three lions of the modified Ashok Stambh.
This is of course very much in harmony with the alternative agenda being put on the table.

Nonetheless, not to forget that the Yatra has yet covered just about one-fifth of the distance.
It's still physically a hugely challenging task. 
Apart from that, one really doesn't know what nasty tricks are awaiting down the line including physical attacks.
But, after all and above all, it has stirred up hopes -- in the midst of deep despair.

Now, it's our job to nurture it -- to reinforce it. 
It calls for collective endeavour.
And that's the only (plausible) way to escape from the looming disaster.







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