The Union Health Minister has written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to ensure Covid “protocol” is followed in his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, or he should suspend it “in the national interest”. The Congress today sought to know what the protocol is, as India has no mask mandate at present and has removed other restrictions, too, over the past year.
A Health Ministry-led expert group later issued an advisory for use of masks in crowded areas, responding to worries sparked by a spike in China. It’s not mandatory, though as the government maintains “there is no need to panic”.
In the letter to Rahul Gandhi, Mansukh Mandaviya wrote: “I request [Rahul Gandhi] that Covid protocol, including use of masks and sanitisers, be strictly followed during the march and only those who are vaccinated be allowed to participate.”Â
His letter further said, “If this Covid protocol cannot be followed, then, in view of the public health emergency, and to save the country from the Covid pandemic, I request you to suspend the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in the national interest.”
Dated December 20, when the yatra was in Rajasthan, the letter referred to three BJP MPs from the state having written to the minister “to express concern”. The yatra entered Haryana on Wednesday.
In its clapback, the Congress cited PM Narendra Modi’s recent poll campaign in Gujarat and the BJP’s ongoing marches. “The BJP is taking out yatras in Karnataka and Rajasthan. Has the Health Minister sent a letter to them?” said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.Â
“Please announce Covid protocols; we will follow them,” the party further said.
After the ministry meeting in the afternoon, when asked about the minister’s letter, Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), Niti Aayog, said: “Whatever the minister said, that’s all we know.”
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya ahead of a meeting on Covid in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The three Rajasthan MPs whose letter the minister referred to had highlighted that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu tested positive after his participation in the yatra.
🔴 #BREAKING | Union Health Minister writes to Rahul Gandhi to ensure Covid rules are followed in his Bharat Jodo Yatra https://t.co/Thl9wdawJOpic.twitter.com/Me7aOOJ89w
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 21, 2022
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the BJP is “looking for excuses” and “reacting in panic”.Â
“Was Modi ji wearing a mask when he went door to door to seek votes in Gujarat?” he remarked.
“The yatra has dented the propaganda the BJP spreads trough godi (pliant) media,” he said, “But now Rahul Gandhi is all over social media. The yatra is being talked about, it’s making a massive impact. That’s why the Modi government has deployed (Mansukh) Mandaviya to use any excuse and try to turn people against the yatra.”
Rahul Gandhi has not reacted.
