Guwahati, 12th January: Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika declares that the government will not grant permission to the Congress party for conducting the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in schools. Despite Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s assurance of support for the Yatra, Hazarika emphasizes that holding it in schools is not permitted. The minister clarifies that the government’s stance is not a denial of permission overall, but rather a restriction on using educational institutions during active school hours. Hazarika suggests alternative locations for the Yatra are welcomed, reinforcing the Chief Minister’s commitment to assistance, excluding schools and colleges.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterates that permission for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be granted if sought, emphasizing no formal request has been received from the Congress. Responding to the Congress claim of denial for using a school in Gogamukh and a college in Jorhat, CM Sarma underscores the incompatibility of using schools and colleges during their regular sessions. Hazarika echoes Sarma’s sentiment, highlighting the Congress party’s alleged intent to disrupt educational activities for the Yatra.
Hazarika criticizes the Congress mentality, accusing them of seeking to disturb school and college activities by pushing for the Yatra in these institutions. He asserts that the government cannot permit such disruptions and emphasizes the need to uphold the educational environment. CM Sarma adds a condition that the Yatra must stay on the national highway and avoid entering Guwahati city limits to prevent traffic disruptions. Congress leader Debabrata Saikia explores alternative arrangements for the Yatra’s stopovers, looking into farmlands or private fields.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, featuring Rahul Gandhi and other top Congress leaders, is scheduled to reach Assam on January 18. The eight-day leg in Assam, spanning from January 18 to January 25, will cover 17 districts of the state.