The Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress, which is scheduled to end in Srinagar next week, briefly stopped on Friday after reaching the Kashmir Valley. The Yatra, which was led by Rahul Gandhi and included erstwhile J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, came to an end at the Banihal tunnel across Kashmir, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
“The police plan entirely fell apart, and the officers tasked with controlling the mob were nowhere to be found. I had to cancel my yatra since my security personnel were quite uncomfortable with me continuing to stroll on it. During a briefing, Gandhi stated that other yatris had completed the walk.
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To welcome Rahul Gandhi, hundreds of party members had gathered in a line on either side of the tunnel. According to the information received, after assembling close to the tunnel on the Kashmir side, villagers and Congress workers entered the roped-off area.
The foot march stopped at the Anantnag Industrial Estate Vessu more than an hour later. As Omar Abdullah departed for Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dak Bungalow, Anantnag.
Several members of Congress vented their anger at the administration. “At the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Banihal, Kashmir, there has been a significant security lapse due to the abrupt removal of security officers from the D-area. Who placed the order? The authorities in charge must take responsibility for this oversight and implement the necessary measures to stop similar events in the future. (sic),” said Congress veteran KC Venugopal.
Rajani Patil, a member of the Congress, tweeted: “Security was not provided for the #BharatJodoYatra led by Shri @RahulGandhi by the J&K UT Administration. Security flaws reveal a biassed and unprepared mindset on the part of the UT administration. @OfficeOfLGJandK. (sic)”
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The party began its Kanyakumari to Kashmir foot march in September, largely with an intent to engage the populace and draw attention to the difficulties the nation is currently suffering in an apparent effort to criticize the BJP, which is currently in power.
Rajnath Singh, the defense minister, criticized Rahul Gandhi as well as the grand old party last week, asking: “Is India shattered that they are seeking to unite it?”
