In a remarkable display of civic enthusiasm, Mokokchung played host to the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra today, shattering attendance records and creating an unforgettable memory for the town.
Thousands of citizens young and old, men, women, and children came out of their homes, taking to the streets to witness Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Today marked one of his last stops in Nagaland before entering Assam tomorrow.
From early morning, starting at the Rotary Junction in Mokokchung town and extending to Imlong Place in the town square, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as people stood on the sides of the road and their balconies to catch a glimpse of the Congress leader. Rahul Gandhi was warmly received at the Rotary Junction and walked to the Imlong Place, where he addressed the gathering.
The Congress leader expressed his gratitude for the warm reception in “Naga Style.” Addressing the mammoth gathering, Gandhi said the Northeast is as important as any other part of India. “It doesn’t matter if the population is less; the importance has to be the same,” Gandhi said.
Explaining the reason behind the Nyay Yatra, the Congress leader appreciated the tradition, history, culture, and the way of Naga life. He alleged that the RSS-BJP is attacking all the different cultures in the country.
“What language you speak, who you worship, what you eat and your marriage traditions should not be anybody else’s business!” he said.
The Congress leader also called out the “road condition” of the state by calling it “injustice” for and “betrayal” of the people of Nagaland.
“For the people of Nagaland to have to drive through these roads is an injustice to the youngsters and to the old people of Nagaland,” he said, calling it a “betrayal of the people of Nagaland.”
He went on to compare the condition of a Naga child with other states asking how fair it is that the Naga child has to go and appear competitive exams through these roads and lack of electricity and lack of hospitals which are problems the children from other states do not face.
“That is what Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is,” he said. “The idea of the Yatra is to bring the attention of the entire country to the people of Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam, as well as to the people who are not part of the development.”
“As an Indian I am ashamed…”
Taking a dig at the Prime Minister for failing to show up at the trouble-torn Manipur, Rahul Gandhi said he was “ashamed” that the Prime Minister of the country has not yet visited Manipur.
“As an Indian, I am ashamed my Prime Minister has not visited Manipur,” Gandhi said, adding, “Their politics have torn the state apart, they’ve divided the state; they’ve weaponized the state; they’ve burnt the state and they cannot even put foot on the state,” he said.
On the ‘Naga Accord’, Gandhi said, “I am ashamed that the Indian PM made a commitment to the people of Nagaland 9 years ago but did nothing about it. You should not lie about it if you don’t have a solution.”
Talking on disparity and injustice, he questioned why none of India’s leading companies is owned by a Naga.
“There’s 500 plus of the biggest companies in India- not one of them has a Naga leadership. How can you say you’re running a fair system?” asked Gandhi while slightly taking a jab at Adani and Ambani.
Rahul hails Naga value of equality and respect
Acknowledging the diversity in Nagaland where there are people from Bihar, UP etc., in Nagaland, Rahul said he was proud to say “Naga people treat everybody equally and with affection.”
“Your tradition, emphasis on equality is an asset to the people of India. The rest of India should come and see the way people are treated in Nagaland.”
He went on to observe that when there are Naga people standing in a line, “there is no pushing and pulling.” According to him, this is because the Nagas respect each other, each other’s space and ideas.
“This is the type of India we are trying to build,” said Gandhi.
The people of Nagaland treat everybody with respect & affection.
This is the kind of India that we are trying to build! pic.twitter.com/SgAhQyJ0eq
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 18, 2024
Gandhi further thanked the Nagas and their forefathers for showing the way forward and called it an honor for him to speak to them.
“I’ll never forget the love and affection I received in Nagaland,” an overwhelmed Gandhi said adding, “You have a soldier in Delhi named Rahul Gandhi, I am more than happy to put your issues forward in the parliament.”
He further said that, after the Yatra is over, he will come and spend a few days in Nagaland to talk to the people in more detail and understand what their aspirations and dreams are.
After the Yatra is over, I will come and spend a few days in Nagaland to talk to the people in more detail and understand what your aspirations and dreams are.
You have a soldier in New Delhi called Rahul Gandhi. If you want me to raise any issue in Parliament, I'm more than… pic.twitter.com/lEH1xbPbi9
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 17, 2024
Rahul Gandhi visited Nagaland Gandhi Ashram in Chuchuyimlang, addressed a public gathering in Changtongya and halted for the night at Tuli in Mokokchung district bordering Assam.
It may be mentioned here that the Nagaland leg of the Congress party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra ended on 17 January.
On Thursday (18 January), the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will enter into Amguri in Assam and will traverse over 880 km in the state.