In a significant pre-election move, the Assam Pradesh Youth Congress on Saturday initiated a statewide foot march, termed a 'padayatra', with a sharp focus on land rights and the protection of indigenous communities. The campaign, launched from Dhemaji district, is set to traverse key regions of Upper Assam over the next week.
Campaign Launch and Core Objectives
The padayatra was inaugurated under the slogan "Jati Bosaok, Mati Bosaok" (Save Community, Save Land). The primary aim is to generate public awareness on critical issues like land rights, constitutional safeguards, and the preservation of indigenous identity. Titled "Raijor Podulit, Raijor Congress", the event saw participation from top Youth Congress leaders from both the state and national levels.
Prominent figures at the launch included Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national in-charge Manish Sharma, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib, IYC general secretary Mitendra Darshan Singh, and Assam Pradesh Youth Congress president Zubair Anam. Addressing party workers, Zubair Anam emphasized the campaign's grassroots nature. "This 'padayatra' is about connecting directly with the people of Assam and understanding their concerns about land rights and identity. These are critical issues that affect the future of our indigenous communities," he stated.
Detailed Itinerary and Public Engagement
The multi-phase campaign is meticulously planned to cover politically significant districts over seven days. The party has released a detailed schedule for the padayatra:
- January 4: Lakhimpur
- January 5: Majuli
- January 6: Jorhat
- January 7: Sivasagar
- January 8: Dibrugarh
- January 9: Tinsukia (Conclusion)
During this journey, Youth Congress leaders and workers plan to engage directly with citizens on a range of pressing issues. The dialogue will extend beyond land rights to include unemployment, safeguarding constitutional rights, and the broader protection of Assam's indigenous identity.
Mobilizing Youth and Political Context
A key focus of the initiative is to galvanize the youth of Assam and encourage their active participation in discussions concerning the state's future. Zubair Anam highlighted this objective, adding, "We want young people to actively participate in discussions about their state's future. Their voices matter, and this 'padayatra' is as much about listening as it is about conveying our message."
This statewide campaign by the Youth Congress is strategically timed, coinciding with intensified outreach efforts by various political parties in the run-up to the impending Assam state assembly elections. The padayatra represents a direct attempt to connect with the electorate on issues that resonate deeply in the region, setting the stage for a heated political discourse in the coming months.
