KANYAKUMARI: Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday warned the country could plunge into civil war if hatred over caste and religion is allowed to spread.
Addressing a press conference here ahead of the launch of the party's 3,570-km 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Gehlot also said there was a need to give the slogan of 'Bharat Jodo' as an atmosphere had been created in the country, for the first time since Independence, that there is hate, tension and violence.
The whole country is concerned about this, he said.
"We have been requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that you should appeal that there be love, brotherhood and harmony among people and violence will not be tolerated. He has not done so till now," Gehlot said.
"There is so much polarisation, hate has been created in the name of caste and religion. If this is not controlled, it can go towards civil war," he said.
He urged them to act on the message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra of uniting the country.
May better sense prevail, he said, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The current generation will not forgive them if they do not act, he added.
Rahul Gandhi believes in non-violence, he said, adding he has no hate in his heart.
Asked about the comments of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma taking swipe at the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gehlot said those who have left the Congress, or are leaving, don't represent the feelings of the party.
PM Modi should understand the message Rahul Gandhi is trying to send out of love and brotherhood.
The intentions of this government are not right, he alleged, adding it is the duty of the country to keep the country united.
Minorities in any area, be it Muslims or Hindus, are always worried what will happen if violence breaks out, he said.
Gehlot recounted how Gandhi had hugged Prime Minister Modi in Parliament and said the PM should have reciprocated and hugged him back.
The yatra will be launched from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday and then move northwards, passing through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot and Jammu, before culminating in Srinagar.
Those participating in the yatra have been classified as "Bharat Yatris", "Atithi Yatras", "Pradesh Yatris" and "Volunteer Yatris".
The tagline of the yatra is "Mile Kadam, Jude Watan".
Gehlot's remarks come amid the talks around him emerging as the possible non-Gandhi Congress party chief.
The Gandhi loyalists in the party appeared to have intensified their campaign to retain the party’s first family at the helm.
On his part, Gehlot has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to take the top post.
Now, Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari, who is close to Priyanka, has said that it will be “fine if the party is led by someone in the Gandhi family.”
Amid discussions centering on a non-Gandhi being made the party president or the party’s Number 2, Tiwari said that whenever the Gandhi family did not lead the party, it had faced the danger of fragmentation.
Talking to the media at the Congress headquarters, Tiwari said: “The schedule for the election of the Congress chief has been announced. Whoever wants can file one’s nomination and Congress will elect him. But on a personal level, I want to say that the Gandhi family should lead the party.”
On whether it should be Rahul or Priyanka for the top post, Tiwari said, “The Gandhi family means the entire Gandhi family. Therefore, any of its members can be asked to lead.”
Gehlot had a big role in sending Tiwari to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. Out of four seats, the Congress had only two winning votes and the BJP had enough votes to ensure a win for one candidate.
The Congress fielded Tiwari as the third candidate, while the BJP had supported independent Subhash Chandra. Due to Gehlot’s political skills, Tiwari won and Chandra lost.
It is clear from Tiwari’s statement that Gehlot is not ready to leave the CM’s chair and go to Delhi. His supporters say if he is asked to lead the party, he will do so, but will also “perform his duties as the CM.”
Ever since speculation grew over Gehlot’s new role in Delhi, there has been a demand for making Sachin Pilot the CM. On Tuesday, on his 46th birthday, Pilot supporters made a big show in Jaipur.
The state Congress headquarters and Pilot’s residence at Civil Lines were littered with posters and hoardings of Sachin Pilot. Those who came to his residence to wish him included 21 ministers and MLAs.
After the announcement of the election of the Congress chief about 10 days back, the Pilot faction has been more active.
“Sachin Pilot played a crucial role in bringing Congress government in the state. How long would you test his patience?” asked Indraj Gurjar, MLA from Virat Nagar assembly seat.
(With PTI and ENS Inputs)