Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday wrote to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot asking them to ensure that Covid-19 guidelines are strictly followed during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The letter reads that COVID guidelines be strictly followed during Bharat Jodo Yatra & the use of masks-sanitizer be implemented. It further mentions that only vaccinated people participate in the Yatra.
The Union Health Minister also requested that if following Covid-19 protocols is not possible, then the Bharat Jodo Yatra be postponed in the national interest, taking note of the public health emergency.
Reacting to the letter, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked if PM Modi followed Covid protocols during the election campaign of Gujarat elections.
"I want to ask BJP, did PM Modi follow Covid protocols during Gujarat Polls? I think Mansukh Mandaviya is not liking Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra but people are liking it & joining it. Mandaviya has been deputed to divert public's attention," he said.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram questioned the letter asking what COVID protocols are enforced i many public gatherings at present.
He said, "I haven't seen the letter but what are the COVID protocols today? We don't seem to be having any enforceable COVID protocols in any other public gatherings. Why this sudden attention to Bharat Jodo Yatra if not that it is rankling the BJP?"
Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Haryana on Wednesday. It is scheduled to reach Delhi on December 28.
The development comes amid the rising cases of Covid-19 in China and the US which even prompted the Indian government to review the pandemic situation in other countries. The government will then decide the next step in the direction.