New Delhi, Aug 29 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced a forthcoming initiative, the “Bharat Dojo Yatra,” following his successful Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra earlier this year. On Thursday, Gandhi shared a video on social media showcasing martial arts sessions held at various campsites during his extensive journey from east to west India.
In his social media post, Gandhi described how daily martial arts practice became a highlight of the yatra. “During the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, as we journeyed across thousands of kilometers, we had a daily routine of practicing Jiu-Jitsu every evening at our campsite,” he said. The practice quickly evolved from a personal fitness routine into a communal activity, involving fellow yatris and local young martial artists from the towns where they stayed.
Gandhi explained that the goal of these sessions was to introduce the “Gentle Art”—a blend of Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, and non-violent conflict resolution techniques. “We aimed to instill in these young minds the value of transforming violence into gentleness and to provide them with the tools to build a more compassionate and safer society,” he added.
In honor of National Sports Day, Gandhi expressed his desire to share his martial arts experiences with the broader public, hoping to inspire interest in the practice. He mentioned, “P.S.: Bharat Dojo Yatra is coming soon,” signaling the launch of this new initiative.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which began on January 14 from Manipur and concluded in Mumbai, was a hybrid journey that followed Gandhi’s previous Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir padyatra. The video shared by Gandhi features him instructing children in martial arts techniques, demonstrating his black belt in Aikido and blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu. He is seen teaching various techniques and emphasizing the importance of channeling the right energy in martial arts practice.
The Bharat Dojo Yatra is expected to continue promoting the values of non-violence and self-discipline through martial arts, furthering Gandhi’s vision of fostering a more peaceful society.
