Jobs, Justice Take Centre Stage as AAP’s 'Rozgar Do' March Ends in Varanasi

The Aam Aadmi Party's week-long 'Rozgar Do - Social Justice' padayatra, which began in Mirzapur on January 16, concluded on Thursday in Varanasi with a strong message centred on employment, welfare and constitutional values. The final day witnessed a large public turnout, underlining the growing resonance of the campaign among youth, workers, farmers, weavers, women and marginalised communities across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The concluding leg of the march was led by Rajya Sabha MP and senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who began the walk from Gokul Nikunj Banquet at Havelia Chauraha in Sarnath around noon.

The procession covered a distance of nearly one and a half kilometres before reaching the Sarnath temple. Along the route, participants were welcomed with flower showers and slogans, while young supporters carried placards highlighting the demand for jobs. The presence of families, senior citizens and first-time participants lent the march a mass movement character rather than a routine political exercise.

Following a darshan at Sarnath, Sanjay Singh addressed a large public meeting at Lal Bahadur Shastri Ghat in Sikraul, where he accused the ruling establishment of diverting attention from pressing public concerns. He said that issues such as education, healthcare, employment, basic infrastructure and social security were being sidelined, even as people continued to struggle with rising unemployment and shrinking livelihoods.

Referring to developments witnessed during the Mirzapur-to-Varanasi march, Singh alleged that ordinary citizens were bearing the brunt of arbitrary governance. He pointed to demolitions, land acquisitions and displacement in the name of development projects, arguing that families who spent their lifetime savings to build homes were being uprooted without adequate rehabilitation. He also claimed that raising such concerns had led to legal action against those questioning the administration.

Taking aim at the BJP leadership, Singh questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over unfulfilled employment promises. He said that despite assurances of creating two crore jobs annually, the reality on the ground reflected a widening gap between promises and delivery. He further argued that large investment claims in Uttar Pradesh had not translated into proportionate job creation for local youth.

Reiterating AAP's core demand, Singh said the party was calling for either guaranteed employment or a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹10,000 for every eligible youth above the age of 18. On social justice, he stressed that true adherence to the Constitution meant ensuring dignity, opportunity and equality for Dalits, backward classes and the economically weaker sections.

Drawing inspiration from Sarnath's legacy of peace and non-violence, Singh said India's progress depended on inclusive development and harmony, not divisive politics. He announced that the "Rozgar Do - Social Justice" movement would continue, with a possible fourth phase of the padayatra planned for the end of February, promising even wider public participation.

The Aam Aadmi Party's Uttar Pradesh unit described the campaign as a people's movement against unemployment and injustice, stating that these issues would be forcefully raised both on the streets and in Parliament. Several senior party leaders, state office-bearers and local representatives were present during the concluding event, signalling AAP's intent to expand its organisational footprint and political messaging in the state.