New Delhi: Amid the huge gathering of devotees on the banks of river Ganga in Haridwar for Kumbh Mela, Uttarakhand chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat has brushed aside claims of Corona spread in the mega festive event.
He said that lakhs of devotees take holy dip in the holy waters of river Ganga, especially the Akhadas on Shahi Snaan days, which in turn has a cathartic effect on them, emotionally and physically. CM Rawat said that with the blessings of ‘Mother Ganga’, lakhs of devotees will be able to get rid of Coronavirus.
Despite the clamour by Opposition parties, the Central and state governments have refused to call off weeks-long Hindu festival, held once every 12 years.
Uttarakhand CM also trashed opinions of people drawing parallel between Nizamuddin Markaz event and the Kumbh in Haridwar.
“Markaz was a closed door event inside a mosque while Kumbh is being held at many ghats in open spaces. Moreover, Covid-19 guidelines are strictly being followed in Haridwar. This will ensure that there is no unbridled spread of Coronavirus. Moreover, ‘Mother Ganga’ will bless its devotees with good health,” U’khand CM said.
CM Rawat & PM Modi welcome devotees to Kumbh 2021
Nizamuddin Markaz turned out to be a ‘super-spreader’ event in 2020 as many Tablighi Jamaatis were found infected with Coroavirus and were blamed for spreading the contagious virus across the country.
Uttarakhand chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat has been an active participant in the organisation for Kumbh festival, being held after 12 years. He also said that there should no “rok-tok (impediments)” and the mela should be “open for all.”
On March 21, he along with PM Modi appeared on full-pages of national dailies and welcomed devotees to Kumbh and telling them it was “clean” and “safe” to attend.
Kumbh IG listed difficulty in ensuring social distancing
Kumbh Inspector General (IG) Sanjay Gunjyal had earlier admitted that it was difficult to ensure social distancing norms during the second ‘Shahi Snan’.
“We are continuously appealing to people to follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour. But due to the huge crowd, it is practically not possible to issue challans today. It is very difficult to ensure social distancing at ghats,” Gunjyal had said.
Uttarakhand: People take a holy dip in Ganga river at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar.
Kumbh Mela IG Sanjay Gunjyal says, “General public will be allowed here till 7 am. After that, this area will be reserved for akharas”. pic.twitter.com/9PtcP9WwwG
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2021
Uttarakhand reported 1,333 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Sunday taking the total number of the cases in the state to 1,08,812. The active cases in the state now stand at 7,323.
#WATCH | Sadhus of Juna Akhara take second ‘shahi snan’ at Har ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/ALqFQHH2nO
— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2021
