Former Uttarakhand CM Says Muslims Avoiding Covid Jabs; Gives Pakistan's Example To Enforce Vaccination

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat CM appealed to the community to come forward for vaccination saying "this disease will not get over and anybody can fell prey to it and we can become a super spreader"

Former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat (File Photo)

Dehradun: In his latest comment, senior BJP leader and former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat pointed out at the the Muslim community in the country saying they are evading Covid vaccination because of their apprehensions and misconceptions about the vaccine.

“The Muslim community in our country at present – I am deliberately taking name – is keeping away from vaccination. They still have hesitation, apprehensions and misconceptions,” Rawat told reporters at the World Blood Donor Day in Rishikesh.

The Indian Express report quoted the former CM urging social organisations and the media to raise awareness in the community that the vaccine is not harmful.

“If you do not take the vaccine, this disease will not get over and anybody can fell prey to it and we can become a super spreader. I appeal all to come forward for vaccination,” said Rawat. He also added that development of herd immunity is possible when 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated.

While raising awareness among the community, the former CM said the Pakistan government has also taken firm measures which includes blocking phones and stopping salaries of those who are avoiding vaccination. Similar steps can work towards creating awareness among masses, he said.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has extended the Covid curfew in the state till June 22. Announcing measures in the standard operating procedure, government spokesperson Subodh Uniyal said localites from the district concerned will be allowed to visit shrines of Char Dham only if they have produced negative RTPCR reports.

Those in Chamoli district can visit Badrinath, while Rudraprayag district residents can visit Kedarnath and devotees from Uttarkashi district can go to Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines. The state may consider unlocking after June 22.