Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the pan-Indian foot march, said directly that the Health Minister's recent letter to him ordering him to stop the march if Covid protocols are not being followed is an excuse. This comes after Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh suggested that sudden action regarding a Covid surge in the country is a ploy to disrupt the "Bharat Jodo Yatra."

"This pilgrimage will go as far as Kashmir. Now, they (the BJP) have a fresh concept. They informed me in writing that Covid was on the way, so I should cease the yatra. Look, justifications are now being offered to halt the yatra. Put on masks, stop the yatra—all of them are justifications. They are frightened by this nation's might and truth.

Rahul Gandhi received a letter from Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya earlier requesting that the Covid "protocol" be followed during his "Bharat Jodo Yatra". Mr. Mandaviya "asked" Rahul Gandhi to halt his yatra "in the national interest" if "protocol" could not be followed in his letter on Tuesday, citing worries following a surge in China.