Keypoints:
- CM said that Markaz was held in a closed space, in a Kothi-like structure, whereas the Kumbh is being held in the open on the sprawling ghats of Ganga.
- Haridwar is all set to organise another Shahi Snan on the occasion of “Mesh Sankranti” today, during the ongoing Kumbh.
- On Tuesday, Uttarakhand reported highest single-day spike this year in Covid cases with 1,925 testing positive in the state.
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat was replying to a question that why the two religious events should not be equated (Nizamuddin Markaz and Kumbh) as Kumbh also draws crowds and could strengthen the second wave of the coronavirus infection. CM said that the Kumbh should not be compared with Markaz which was held in closed space and was even attended by foreigners.
“There should be no comparison between Kumbh and Markaz. The Markaz was held in a closed space, in a Kothi like structure whereas the Kumbh is being held in the open on the sprawling ghats of the Ganga,” Rawat said on a weekly talk show organised by the Hindustan Times. He also said that,“The devotees attending Kumbh are not from outside but our own people.”
“Moreover, when the Markaz was held there was not much awareness about Corona nor were there any guidelines. No one knew for how long the attendees of the Markaz had remained in the confines of the structure,” he said.
“Now there is more awareness both about Covid and the guidelines related to it” the chief minister added. He also said Kumbh comes once in 12 years and is linked with the faith and sentiments of millions of people. “Holding it successfully amid the challenge posed by Covid-19 by ensuring that the SOP is strictly followed by all is our goal,” he said.
The CM also said that people health is a priority but matter of faith cannot be totally ignored.
“Cases have of course risen of late but we are following the health ministry guidelines and the recovery rate is good. Arrangements are also adequate to deal with any situation,” he said.
Today, as the Kumbh keeps going on, Haridwar is all set to organise another Shahi Snan on the occasion of “Mesh Sankranti”.
On Tuesday, Uttarakhand reported highest single-day spike this year in Covid cases with 1,925 testing positive in the state.