Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu, visits Mata Vaishnodevi temple and interacts with the people of Jammu.
Rahul Gandhi was given a rousing reception at the Jammu airport on his arrival earlier in the day and Congress members, including top leaders, welcomed him with beats of dolaks.
LIVE: Shri @RahulGandhi addresses workers convention in Jammu.#JammuWithRahulGandhi
https://t.co/TpplbC9TWW— Congress (@INCIndia) September 10, 2021
On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi paid obeisance at the Mata Vaishnodevi temple. He reached the shrine after undertaking a “13-km-long yatra” on foot through the Trikuta hills from Katra basecamp, said, party leaders.
Rahul Gandhi also met with the head pujari and the aarti pujari at the Bhawan and was blessed by them. During his trek to the shrine, the former Congress president was flanked by several leaders, including Mir.
While walking up the Mountain on the 14-kilometer stretch, he tweeted an enchantingly beautiful sunset picture while walking up the 14 kilometres to the shrine, titling it “Silent observations.”
#MaVaishnoDevi
Silent observations. #MaVaishnoDevi pic.twitter.com/vDAIwkdQLy
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 9, 2021
Shri
@RahulGandhi
takes in the incredible expanse of mother nature while en route to Darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple with the steep and misty mountain in the backdrop:
Shri @RahulGandhi takes in the incredible expanse of mother nature while en route to Darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. #RahulVaishnoDeviYatra pic.twitter.com/cD8Skvvjxa
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) September 9, 2021
People showered love over him.
#JammuWithRahulGandhi
Wherever Shri @RahulGandhi goes, people shower love and affection in abundance on him..— Salim Kaskar INC (@salimkaskar3) September 10, 2021
His walk of 14 kilometers by foot, declining to take a chopper or helicopter was regarded as an unusual decision for a political leader, but also a reflection of his nature, who always chose to walk with his people.
The future PM @RahulGandhi walking 14 kms to #VaishnoDevi#JammuWithRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/8rFpSEDfp6
— Rabiul Hassan (@Rabiul__INC) September 10, 2021
“I'm a Kashmiri Pandit,my family is Kashmiri Pandit.Delegation of Kashmiri Pandits met me & said that Congress implemented many welfare schemes for them,but BJP did nothing.I promise my Kashmiri Pandit brothers that I will do something for them,”@RahulGandhi#JammuWithRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/WUhS3iR6W4
— Niraj Bhatia (@bhatia_niraj23) September 10, 2021
The next morning, on his address to the people, he said, “I’m a Kashmiri Pandit,my family is Kashmiri Pandit. Delegation of Kashmiri Pandits met me & said that Congress implemented many welfare schemes for them, but BJP did nothing. I promise my Kashmiri Pandit brothers that I will do something for them,”
He said on addressing an event on Friday, “I feel I have come home. My family has a long relationship with Jammu and Kashmir.”
He added, “I’m a Kashmiri Pandit and my family is Kashmiri Pandit. Today morning, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits met me. They told me that Congress implemented many welfare schemes for them, but BJP has done nothing.”
“I promise my Kashmiri Pandit brothers that I will do something for them,” said Rahul Gandhi, who added that after Jammu and Kashmir, he will be visiting Ladakh as well.
“J&K has a special place in my heart but I’m pained also. There is brotherhood in J&K but the BJP and RSS are trying to break the bond of that brotherhood,” said Rahul Gandhi.
He went on to raise his hand and show his palm to the crowd, when he said, “Hand means daro mat (don’t be afraid). You can see the hand in pictures of Lord Shiva and Wahe Guru.”
Rahul Gandhi then attacked the BJP and said the party has weakened Jammu and Kashmir. “Your statehood was snatched from you. J&K should get back its statehood.”
Of note, Jawaharlal Nehru’s father, Motilal Nehru (1861–1931), a self-made wealthy barrister belonged to the Kashmiri Pandit community, and served twice as president of the Indian National Congress, in 1919 and 1928.