Bharat Jodo is the need of the hour, says Ponnala

HYDERABAD: Bharat Jodo is the event of the century – a Historic and Revolutionary Yatra to unite the nation in these times of crisis. In the history of India, this becomes the third-most revolutionizing, inspirational, result-oriented and unifying event of India; the other two being the Dandi March and movement for the abolition of untouchability by late Mahatma Gandhiji. This is not mere description but facts of history and a reflection on the day’s happenings in the country.

Dandi march accelerated the movement for freedom, in 1933. It resulted in India attaining independence, in 1947. The second one, another historic event– a social revolution and a much-needed agitation for social balance, self-respect and inclusiveness – was the Yatra of Mahatma Gandhi again, against untouchability. That was the objective of the Congress Party. Gandhiji faced obstacles in his efforts to unify this nation and realise the dream of a secular India where there was social balance, self-respect and inclusiveness. For instance, people from Kashi took to the streets, blocked the roads and did not allow him to walk – vested interests were obstructing him, but he surged forward unfazed.

After independence, India constitutionally guaranteed inclusiveness for those who were left deprived for thousands of years - by making reservations for development at social level, ensuring social justice. So, they now live with self-respect.
Now, there are three things to analyse
- What India was before the British Raj
- What it was during the British Raj
- What Congress made India till 2014, after independence
 
Before the British took over, India was the most talked of - the richest country in the world. Alexander invaded India. People came from other countries just to learn about this country. For example, Pahiyan and Hieun Tsang from China visited India because of its greatness. Columbus wished to find a sea route to India, but landed in America (thus the native inhabitants were mistakenly called Red Indians). It survived many invasions before, right from the 14th century, but the British blow was the deadliest. India succumbed to it. They came for business but inflicted brutality on India for two centuries.

They took over all the princely states of India. They took over the nation and robbed it of all its resources. They never gave the nation an opportunity to grow. During the two or three famines that occurred, nearly 3.5 million people died of starvation. Several people died of floods and even power supply was a distant dream. India’s population was 350 million when the British left India.

What ensued was the spell of death, of hunger and starvation. Food production was insufficient and not even closer to 50 million tonnes in 1947. India had to import wheat from America under PL480 during the 1950s. But the figures grew to 300 million tonnes in 2014, and now we are exporting to 128 countries. By 2014, India became the third largest in purchasing power criteria and the fifth largest in terms of GDP growth. A country which was suppressed by the British has surpassed the economy of an empire over which the sun never set!!!
However, now, under the present government’s rule, economy is at doldrums. Crores of people have downgraded from above poverty to below poverty – black money in Swiss banks went up from Rs 14000 crores in 2014 to Rs 31000 crores by 2022. Foreign outflow is increased by capitalists and they are easily escaping to other countries.

The slogan of Make in India by Modi has remained a mere slogan. Imports from China have increased manifold during the BJP rule. Foreign exchange reserves have come down drastically. BJP is looting the country (like the British and is selling India). BJP is toppling the governments of Congress with looted resources – and has no regard for democratic values and law of the land. Congress brought the Anti-Defection law to prevent Party Switching, with good intentions and with respect for the values of democracy, but BJP is breaching the law without remorse.

Under this government, religion, caste and region have become the governing motto and BJP continues to divide the country and its society based on these criteria.

The time has come for this country to unite, face the challenges of division, face the challenge of unemployment and price rise. For this, this historic yatra of Rahul Gandhi is going to make the nation turn wheels for the better, for what the Congress believed all through.

From Gandhi to Gandhi – in the interest of the people and the nation!!
We welcome it!! We participate in it. We fight for the ideals and programs of Congress party!!! – a party which has been secular, tolerant, and progressive. So, with this yatra, with this commitment, India will be the number one superpower in the world, provided we stick to these ideals.

It may be an objective, but Congress has the history of realizing the impossible dreams because of our concern, commitment, programs and policies and we continue to believe in our ideals laid down by our predecessors who gave up their lives for the nation.

India is the land of revolution. Every time there was an oppression, the people of India geared up to be warriors to defeat the enemy. This time again, Rahul Gandhiji’s Bharat Jodo yatra will unite our nation.

(The writer is former PCC chief Ponnala Laxmaiah)