BJP kicks off padyatra in Jharkhand

Deoghar, Jun 23 (UNI) The Jharkhand BJP today kicked off its Santhal-Hul yatra from Baidyanath temple here.

The 200-km padyatra, scheduled to be completed in eight days, will culminate in Bhognadih village of Sahebganj.

State party president Yadunath Pandey, who led the yatra, said the programme was also aimed at commemorating the martyrs of Santhal hul, who fought the British.

Through the programme, the party wanted to make people aware of the BJP's agenda on anti-terrorism and extremism, he added.

Dr Pandey said his party was against religious conversion, adding the padyatra was against the Christian missionaries, who were allegedly involved in the act.

The yatra is expected to cover 25 km distance on the first day.

Party's national vice-president Sumitra Mahajan and Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda will participate on the last day of programme.

UNI AM-PRS SJC VD DS1650