Rahul does not feel cold because he is wearing shield of truth: Priyanka Gandhi

The 3,570 km Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed after a nine-day break on Tuesday and entered Uttar Pradesh after walking through the riot-hit area of north-east Delhi with a message of love and unity, as thousands joined senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Kanyakumari to Kashmir walkathon.

The yatra re-started from near Hanuman Mandir in Kashmere Gate in the national capital in the morning and headed towards Uttar Pradesh by passing through north-east Delhi’s Seelampur and Jafrabad, which were hit by riots in early 2020 following anti-CAA protests. At the Hanuman Mandir, Rahul offered prayers before the start of the yatra.

The route covering the riot-hit areas was carefully chosen with an attempt to highlight the criticism faced by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP that it remained silent on the communal violence then.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi to hoist Tricolour in Srinagar on January 30 to mark end of Bharat Jodo Yatra

Enthusiastic party supporters and others joined Rahul shouting slogans like ‘Bharat Jodo’ (Unite India), Nafrat Chodo (Shun Hatred) and Rahul Gandhi Zindabad. A large number of onlookers were also seen on both sides of the roads while others were seen on rooftops to catch a glimpse of the Congress leader.

National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah joined the yatra in UP. Former RAW chief AS Dulat also joined Rahul during the day while Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who was earlier with Congress, was also present. Senior leaders like KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Ambika Soni were also present during the yatra.

As the yatra entered Uttar Pradesh, Rahul was welcomed by his sister and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders.

Speaking at the flag handover ceremony at the border, Priyanka showered praise on Rahul and said he is a “warrior” and one person who cannot be bought over. She said he is not scared of the government, which is spending thousands of crores of rupees to sully his image.

“I am proud of my elder brother because the establishment is putting all pressure on him and the government is spending thousands of crores of rupees to destroy his image. But it has not deterred him. Agencies were used against him but he is not scared. He is a warrior,” she said.

"Adani-ji, Ambani-ji bought big politicians, bought all PSUs, bought the media, but they could not buy my brother and will never be able to do so. I am proud of him and of everyone else," she said.

Referring to Rahul wearing a T-shirt and not a sweater, she said he doesn't feel cold even in winter because "he is wearing the shield of truth."

The yatra will traverse through Uttar Pradesh for next two days before re-entering Haryana on Thursday evening. From Haryana, the yatra will go to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh before entering Jammu and Kashmir on January 20. The yatra will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar with the hoisting of the national flag by Rahul Gandhi.