Kharge writes to Shah, seeks his intervention in ensuring adequate security for Bharat Jodo Yatra in J&K

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his "personal intervention" in ensuring adequate security to the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, as the party had to call off Friday's yatra accusing security breach.

In his letter on Friday, Kharge said he was writing following the "unfortunate" security lapse during the yatra and on the advice of security officials in charge of the security deal of Rahul Gandhi, the yatra had to be suspended for the day.

Also read | Congress accuses government of security lapses during Bharat Jodo Yatra in J&K's Qazigund

While welcoming Jammu and Kashmir Police's statement that it would continue to provide complete security till the end of the programme, he said, Shah would appreciate the fact that a large crowd has joined the yatra and it is very difficult for the organisers to tell exactly how many people are joining.

.@kharge writes to @AmitShah on 'security lapse' during #Kashmir leg of #BharatJodoYatra. Seeks his personal intervention in dealing with the situation @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/71CiXyrGDQ

— Shemin (@shemin_joy) January 28, 2023

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"We are expecting a huge gathering to join the yatra over the next two days and also the function that will be held on 30th January at Srinagar. Many senior Congress leaders and leaders of other important political parties are attending the culmination function to be held on January 30. I shall be grateful if you could personally intervene in this matter and advise the concerned officials to provide adequate security till the culmination of the yatra and the function on January 30 at Srinagar," he said.

The around 4,000 km yatra will conclude on Monday with flag hoisting by Rahul at Congress office followed by a rally in which a number of Opposition parties will attend.

Sharing his letter to Shah, Kharge said on Twitter, "Security lapse during Bharat Jodo Yatra led to its suspension yesterday, after Rahul Gandhi's security detail suggested the same. We are expecting a huge gathering, including leaders of important political parties at its culmination."

Earlier, Kharge had said that the lapse in Rahul's security in Jammu and Kashmir was disconcerting to say the least. “It is the government of India's prime responsibility to provide security. India has already lost two PM's and scores of leaders and we demand better security for the Yatris," he had tweeted.

On Friday, Rahul said he had to cancel his walk for the day because police arrangements by the Jammu and Kashmir administration "unfortunately completely collapsed". Jammu and Kashmir Police denied there was any security lapse.