BJP claims Congress’ objection to Tiranga Shaurya Yatra politically motivated
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Bharatiya Janata Party has termed Congress’ objection to the Tiranga Shaurya Yatra as politically motivated. The BJP State president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said that the Congress has also raised questions about the number of pilgrims arriving for the Char Dham Yatra. He pointed out that the party had earlier objected to the high number of visitors and is now raising concerns over the drop in numbers due to border conditions.
Bhatt said the Yatra is again witnessing a record turnout and Congress’ attempts to influence the pilgrimage will not succeed this year either. Bhatt said that Congress had earlier claimed to stand with national issues but now objects to a Yatra being conducted under a citizens’ banner by various social groups in support of national security. He stated that the BJP is supporting the initiative so that more people can show respect to the armed forces and leadership as the aim is to connect every family in the State with the wave of patriotism that followed the success of Operation Sindoor.
Bhatt said that Congress views this Yatra as a political act even though it had earlier organised its own Tiranga Yatra under the party’s banner when Indian soldiers were responding to enemy action at the border. He said that the BJP welcomed that move despite it being a political event. He questioned why, now that the country is celebrating military success through such yatras, Congress considers it political. He alleged that Congress is not concerned with the honour of the army or the nation and continues to politicise such matters. On the issue of Char Dham pilgrims, Bhatt said Congress is showing double standards.
He claimed that when pilgrim numbers reached a record high at the start of the season, Congress accused the government of risking security by inviting more visitors. Later, when the number dropped due to border tensions, the party blamed poor management. Bhatt said Congress should clarify whether it wants fewer or more pilgrims. He claimed that Congress finds it difficult to comment on the success of the pilgrimage, which is again seeing a surge. Bhatt accused Congress of trying to influence the Yatra with statements and rumours. He also referred to the previous year, when the party allegedly tried to harm the image of Uttarakhand through campaigns and events like the Kedarnath Pratishtha.
