The first phase of the yatra in West Bengal concluded on Monday, as it entered Bihar from Islampur

It re-entered West Bengal on Wednesday through Debipur, Ratua in Malda district in the northern part of the state

Covering 523 km across six West Bengal districts so far, the yatra has traversed Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Uttar Dinajpur, with Malda and Murshidabad slated for the second phase, they said

The journey through North Bengal, once a Congress stronghold, witnessed enthusiastic reception, as Gandhi interacted with locals along the route

The Congress faced challenges in securing permission for public meetings and lodging arrangements in Jalpaiguri, Malda and Murshidabad districts of TMC-ruled Bengal, its ally at the national level, the leaders said

The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', which started in Manipur on January 14, is scheduled to cover 6,713 km in 67 days, while passing through 110 districts in 15 states, before culminating in Mumbai on March 20

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Central government, saying that the Agneepath scheme was a betrayal not only to the youth but also to the sacred sentiments of the country attached to the Indian Army

In a post shared on X Rahul Gandhi said, "Leaving 1.5 lakh youth already selected in the armed forces helpless in the name of a temporary recruitment Agneepath scheme is a grave injustice to them. The Agneepath scheme is a betrayal not only of the patriotic youth but also of the sacred sentiments of the country attached to the Indian Army"

"We have started the Voice of Justice--JAY JAWAN campaign against the injustice being done to these youth. You too can be a part of this ongoing campaign for justice for these patriotic youth by visiting http://jayjawan.in or giving a missed call on 9999812024," he added