Dehradun, Oct. 23 -- The Uttarakhand Congress on Thursday launched its 'Nyay Yatra' (justice march) from different parts of the state, focusing on unemployment, inflation, corruption, alleged atrocities against women, public rights and the deteriorating law-and-order situation ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The yatra, scheduled from October 22 to 26, will cover the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, with senior Congress leaders leading programmes in their respective areas. The party has also planned a demonstration outside the state assembly on October 27 as part of its campaign against what it described as the BJP government's "anti-people policies". State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal said the 'Uttarakhand Nyay Yatra' was launched from several religious and spiritual centres, including Shri Badrinath in Chamoli, Golju Devta in Almora, Tapkeshwar Mahadev in Dehradun, Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar and the holy abode of Sem Nagraja in Tehri. In Garhwal, Godiyal led the yatra after offering prayers at Shri Badrinath. The launch was attended by Congress co-in-charge Surender Sharma, Badrinath MLA Lakhpat Singh Butola, Pratap Nagar MLA Vikram Singh Negi, state Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela and other senior leaders and locals. Godiyal said the yatra had been launched in response to the state Congress committee's call to raise pressing regional issues and oppose BJP policies the party considers anti-people. "Under the BJP's rule, corruption, misconduct and injustice have reached their peak in Uttarakhand," Godiyal said, adding that the call for justice from the sanctum of Lord Badri Vishal would resonate across Garhwal, Kumaon and the Terai regions. He said the Congress would take its campaign to people across the state and raise issues concerning their rights, justice and Uttarakhand's identity. In Dehradun, the yatra was led by Pritam Singh, chairman of the Congress election campaign committee and former state Congress president, after prayers at the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple. He prayed for prosperity, peace and justice in the state. The Dehradun leg began from Congress Bhawan, the party's state headquarters, and was scheduled to cover the Rajpur and Mussoorie assembly constituencies. Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat joined the march in Rajpur, raising justice for the Pauri receptionist, employment for youth, inflation and women's safety. BJP state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan criticised the Congress's Nyay Yatra, saying the party should first introspect over its own record and apologise to the people of Uttarakhand before seeking accountability from others. "Congress should explain questions surrounding recruitment processes during its tenure and tell the people who would take responsibility for allegations related to jobs and political patronage," Chauhan said. He said the party had no moral right to speak of justice without answering questions concerning the future and employment of the state's youth. He also asked the Congress to clarify its position on past controversies, including the proposed Muslim university and the debate over Friday holidays for government employees, saying issues concerning religious sentiments, social sensitivities and Uttarakhand's cultural identity required a clear stand. He said raising issues was the opposition's right, but the Congress should present its record and a roadmap to address them....