Congress's Rahul Gandhi led his Bharat Jodo Yatra into Jammu and Kashmir today, underscoring that it was a "homecoming" for him. "I am going back to my roots, I know the suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and come to you with a bowed head," he said, addressing the people.
"I am here to learn from you. Each one of you have suffered a lot and I want to humbly say that I am here to share your grief," he said.
Drawing a parallel between the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the one undertaken by Vedic scholar Shankaracharya in the 8th Century, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said, "It was Shankaracharya who walked on foot from Kanyakumari to Kashmir through jungles... there were no roads. You are the second person to undertake such a travel from Kanyakumari to Kashmir."
The Yatra was given a grand welcome at Madopur, with a cultural programme that included music and dance.
Farooq Abdullah was at the spot to receive Mr Gandhi. The 85-year-old struck an emotive note, saying, "Before I close my eyes, I want to see my secular Hindustan again where everyone is respected."
There were a number of senior leaders from Congress, allies and regional parties, who are expected to attend the Yatra's grand finale in Srinagar on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Besides Mr Abdullah, Congress's Jairam Ramesh, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijay Singh, were there. The Congress has invited 21 opposition parties to attend the programme on January 30.
Jammu and Kashmir is the last leg of the yatra, which started 125 days ago in September from Kanyakumari.
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