Indian opposition takes ‘unity march’ against hate into capital

India’s opposition Congress party leaders Rahul Gandhi, left in white T-shirt, Sonia Gandhi, centre wearing a face mask, and Priyanka Gandhi, right, walk with their supporters during a march, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s beleaguered opposition Congress party, on Saturday marched in New Delhi along with his supporters, part of his five-month-long 3,570km (2,218-mile) countrywide trek through 12 states that began 105 days ago.(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Members of India’s main opposition Congress party and thousands of supporters have walked into the capital as part of a five-month cross-country “unity march” seeking to challenge what they say is a “hate-filled” version of the country under the Hindu nationalist government.

Thousands of party workers and senior leaders were led by Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party and scion of the influential Gandhi family, as they entered New Delhi after passing through eight states.