MP: Rahul walks with dog, rides bike in Ambedkar's birthplace
What's the story
From walking with a German Shepherd to riding a bike, Rahul Gandhi's different avatars were on display in Mhow, the birthplace of the father of the Indian Constitution, Dr. BR Ambedkar. Gandhi's supporters in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, were surprised on Sunday to see the leader riding the bike as he had been walking since September 7, as part of the Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra, spearheaded by Gandhi and launched on September 7, is its largest public outreach in decades from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari to Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar. Since the march began, Gandhi, along with his supporters, has been walking on foot. The party says the cross-country march is aimed at encouraging communal harmony, discouraging hatred, and seeking resolutions to many other issues.
Yatra
Gandhi was seen riding a bike on the 81st day
The 81st day of the yatra was unusual as its leader, Gandhi, was seen riding a bike and then walking a pet. In a viral video, Gandhi, with a helmet strapped to his head, can be seen riding the bike while security personnel cleared the road. Hours later, the Twitter handle of the yatra shared a picture of Gandhi walking with a German Shepherd.
Twitter Post
Gandhi rides bike in Mhow while heading toward Indore
#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi rides a motorbike during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/TNG1yvwKbo
— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2022
Twitter Post
Gandhi walks with a German Shepherd
This is so pawsome! 🐾♥️#BharatJodoYatra pic.twitter.com/FcpjuzBzke
— Bharat Jodo (@bharatjodo) November 27, 2022
Details
Yatra has completed five days in Madhya Pradesh
The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Madhya Pradesh on November 23 after leaving Maharashtra. On Sunday, it traveled nearly 23km from Mhow to reach Indore. To reach Indore, the yatra passed through the Rau area, where a red carpet was rolled out to welcome it. Several people joined the march, including the specially-abled, as Gandhi was seen pushing a wheelchair.
Indore
1,400 personnel deployed for the security of the yatra
Indore Police Commissioner, Harinarayanachari Mishra, said, "1,400 security personnel have been deployed for yatra's security." Barricades have been installed at several places to ensure its security, media reports quoting Mishra said. Last week, a letter threatening to bomb Gandhi "once his yatra enters the state" surfaced in the Juni area of Indore. The police on Thursday said the man behind the threat was arrested.
Address
Sangh has penetrated institutions, Gandhi in Mhow
Gandhi, while addressing the people in Ambedkar's birthplace on Saturday, on the occasion of Constitution Day, accused "the BJP and the RSS of trying to throttle and dismantle the Constitution by stealth." He also said that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has "penetrated every institution of the country including media, judiciary, and the Army."