In a video statement, Dipke rejected attempts to link the activists’ protests with violent unrest and regime-change movements abroad. He said Das and Ranka had chosen to face imprisonment peacefully, maintaining their commitment to Gandhian Satyagraha despite what he described as unlawful detention

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh cited a media investigation into the implementation of the scheme in drought-hit Beed district of Maharashtra