Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Mar 16: The Congress party in Bihar has kicked off a statewide ‘Pada-Yatra’ under the theme ‘Palayan Roko, Naukri Do’ (Stop Migration, Provide Jobs), highlighting the severe unemployment crisis that has forced thousands of young people to migrate in search of better opportunities.
The march, spearheaded by prominent leaders including AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, and former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, commenced from West Champaran, a historically significant district where Mahatma Gandhi started his first Satyagraha in India. Volunteers from the party’s youth and student wings are set to participate in this prolonged march across Bihar.
Addressing reporters at the launch, Kanhaiya Kumar, who also serves as the national in-charge of NSUI, took a direct swipe at the ruling BJP-led NDA government in Bihar, accusing it of failing to generate employment.
"This government has failed to provide jobs. Every competitive exam is plagued by paper leaks or stuck in legal battles due to irregularities. Even those who have managed to secure employment, like government teachers, are deprived of pension benefits that their seniors enjoy," he remarked.
Kumar also criticized the BJP’s alleged attempts at communal polarization, stating, "When a government is unable to provide quality education, healthcare, or employment, it resorts to dividing people and creating rifts in society."
Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March, Kumar emphasized the significance of launching the protest from the Bhitiharwa Ashram, which was established by Gandhi himself. "We are here to fight for our rights while upholding the values of truth and non-violence," he added.
The Pada-Yatra is widely seen as Congress’ strategic move to strengthen its presence ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, where the party is expected to contest in alliance with the RJD and the Left.
When asked about Congress' electoral strategy, Kumar tactfully avoided any direct response, refusing to disclose whether he would contest the elections himself. Instead, he quipped, "I am only concerned about every job aspirant getting a seat suited to their qualifications."
Encouraging young Congress workers, Kumar urged them to work for systemic change, lamenting that Bihar’s youth are forced to migrate for basic necessities like education, jobs, and even honeymoon trips.
"We never see people from other states coming to Bihar for jobs. This is why Biharis face discrimination and humiliation elsewhere. The government has no solution for this crisis, so it misleads people with divisive politics," he asserted.
The Pada-Yatra will traverse several districts before culminating in Patna, aiming to mobilize public sentiment against unemployment and large-scale migration in Bihar.