Democracy is meaningful only when voices of protest are tolerantly respected. Criticism is not possible where totalitarianism prevails. No one will be free to speak anything there but words of praise to the state. In case anyone raises their voice against it, they will disappear the next day. As India is a democracy, both those who support and oppose the government have the right to respond. However, many contrary trends have been emerging recently. This is not something to be encouraged.

BJP workers blocking the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and creating conflict on the way is in no way justifiable. BJP-ruled state governments are creating maximum difficulties and hurdles for the Yatra. The Yatra started on January 14 in Manipur. It was decided to start the Yatra from Imphal, but the state government did not give permission, so it had to start from a nearby district. As the Yatra entered Assam, violence against it also increased.

Rahul Gandhi walked into the BJP workers who came to block the Yatra at two places, creating a tense scene. There was violence against vehicles escorting the Yatra. Police stopped Yatra from entering Guwahati in Assam. A case was also filed against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly giving instructions to the ranks to create provocation. Although the police cancelled the debate with USTM university students on the Assam-Meghalaya border, all the students came out of the college and listened to the speech. It is not desirable to act like having power means authority to do anything. Such political journeys gain more publicity and relevance when they are often blocked.

Any party in India has the right to hold a march. Only those who are afraid of criticism will step forward to prevent this. Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of being behind the violence against Yatra in Assam. Rahul Gandhi is not a leader who conducts Yatra to deliberately create conflict. His Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir is proof of that. BJP workers should not forget that the leader who has faced the most criticism is now sitting as the Prime Minister of BJP. Criticism is an important factor that helps any leader to thrive in India. General elections are approaching. Those in power should behave in such a way that everyone can hold marches and speeches. Behaviors that don't tend to end up in self-destructive tyranny.