Chamarajanagar, Sep 30 (IANS): After covering Kerala, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday kicked off the Karnataka leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra from Gundlupet town in Chamarajanagar district.

Launching a scathing attack on the ruling BJP in the convention before the launch of Padayatra, Gandhi stated that tricolour has no value without the Constitution.

To counter the BJP and RSS's ideology and end the hatred and violence in the country, the Congress has taken up this padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, he said.

"It is being undertaken to protect the constitution. There is no place for any kind of hatred or violence in it. If someone falls, without enquiring about his religion, caste and language, he will be lifted up," Gandhi added.

"This is our Hindustan, bhaichara ka Hindustan (country of brotherhood). This rally can't be stopped. No force can stop the padayatra and this is the strength of this country," he maintained.

During the yatra, which starts in the morning and continues till evening, the people meet us and share their woes. They talk about unemployment, atrocities on farmers, privatisation of PSUs. Poora Hindustan, apna dard batata hai (the whole country is pouring out woes) he said.

The intention of the yatra is not to give long speeches. It is an opportunity for the people to talk. Questions are raised on why this yatra is being taken up? Under democracy, there are various institutions like the media, parliament. But, all roads are closed for the opposition party, Gandhi stated.

When they rise to speak in Parliament, their mikes are muted and if anyone tries to voice concerns they are jailed. There is no other way left but to take up yatra, he said.

This yatra can't be stopped. The voice of Hindustan can't be stopped, he reiterated.

Thanking party workers for gathering in large numbers, he welcomed them to join the yatra with him. "When you walk with me, you will know about corruption, unemployment and inflation in Karnataka," he said.

Police officers troubling Cong will be taught a lesson, says Siddaramaiah

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said that if the police officers join hands with BJP to trouble the Congress, they will be taught a befitting lesson in future.

Addressing a massive convention at Gundlupet ahead of Bharat Jodo Yatra in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah said that the police officers should know that after six months, the Congress is going to form the government in Karnatakaand the BJP weeded out.

He was referring to the incident of tearing down of flexes of Congress leaders put up to welcome Rahul Gandhi in the state.

The Congress leader warned the state police department against joining hands with anyone to trouble Congress party leaders and workers. "Those police officers who join hands with ruling BJP will be dealt with strictly and taught a lesson," he warned.

Hailing the Bharat jodo yatra, Siddaramaiah stated that since independence, no leader has taken up such an endeavour of covering the whole country through padayatra.

He further stated that the Congress has the power to ensure that BJP leaders do not step out of Karnataka. "Let them be careful if they think Congress leaders could be troubled," he warned.

The Congress leader also urged the people of the state to join Bharat Jodo Yatra and support Rahul Gandhi's fight against hatred and communal ideology of BJP.

Siddaramaiah welcomes Rahul, violates forest rules

Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi entered Karnataka on Friday amid a warm welcome by Siddaramaiah and his supporters, who in the process violated forest rules.

Siddaramaiah and his supporters had gathered in the Tiger Reserve Forest near Kekkanahalli at the Karnataka border. The forest department had denied permission for the padayatra in the reserve forest and had given permission to travel by car only.

But Siddaramaiah stopped his vehicle and welcomed Rahul Gandhi in the Tiger Reserve Forest along with former ministers and senior Congress leaders Mahadevappa, K.J. George and others.

Rahul Gandhi will participate in a convention organised at Gundlupet town before the launch of the 21-day Bharat Jodo Yatra through Karnataka. The party has arranged lunch for 30,000 party workers in the Veeranapura village.

Rahul Gandhi will walk for four kilometers after the convention on the National Highway before halting for lunch. He will interact with Adivasis and families of victims who died due to lack of oxygen in Chamarajanagar district hospital during Covid-19 pandemic.

The padayatra will resume at 4 p.m. near Bendakalli Gate, and at 7 p.m. the first day's yatra will end at Begur village.