New Delhi: Launching the Congress party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the tricolour belongs to every religion, state and language, but it is under attack today by the BJP and the RSS – which are dividing India along religious and linguistic lines.

Speaking at the launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kanyakumari, he said every single institution of the country is under attack as he sought the support of people to help keep the country united.

"Our tricolour guarantees the right to practice any religion of choice, but today this flag is under attack," Gandhi said at the rally.

He said the tricolour did not come easily as it was earned by Indians of every religion, region and language.

He also alleged that India is facing its worst-ever economic crisis along with the highest unemployment rate ever and the country is headed towards disaster.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra will traverse 12 states and two Union territories, travelling over 3,500 in about 150 days. The Congress hopes the march will build momentum against the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi paid homage at the Sriperumbudur memorial near Chennai, the site of the assassination of his father Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

In a symbolic gesture of the commencement of 'Bharat Jodo Yatra,' DMK president and Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin handed over the national flag to Gandhi and both the leaders saluted the tricolour, signifying the broad theme of unity.

Chief ministers of Rajasthan and Chattisgarh, Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel respectively and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri took part in the prayer session, the undercurrent being national unity and brotherhood. Rahul Gandhi also visited the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Popular patriotic songs like Mahakavi Bharathi's 'Parukkuley Nalla Nadu' (Our country Bharat, the great), 'Engum Shanti Nilavu Vendum' (Let peace prevail everywhere), and 'Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram' were sung.

A jubilant Rahul Gandhi held the national flag in his hands and walked down the beach road from the Gandhi Memorial, accompanied by his party men.

"The Tricolour is the identity of our unity and diversity, our self-respect. Today, taking the Tricolour in hand, took the first step of Bharat Jodo Yatra. Have to walk for miles, let's together unite our India," he said in a tweet.

Earlier, the Congress leader visited the mammoth Thiruvalluvar statue and paid floral tributes to a portrait of the savant.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra will go from Kanyakumari to Jammu. The march will pass through Tamil Nadu for four days, from September 7 to 10. It will then move to Kerala. Karnataka, where elections are due next year, the yatra will go on for 21 days.

(With PTI inputs)

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