In a major decision, Government of India on Thursday blacklisted over 2000 foreign nationals of Tablighi Jamat and restricted them from entering into India for the next 10 years. The action has been taken against the foreign members of the Islamic organisation for their alleged involvement in the Tablighi Jamaat event in March this year at Delhi's Nizamuddin area.
As per the ANI report, the government has blacklisted a total of 2,200 foreign Tablighi Jamaat nationals and 'banned for 10 years from travelling to India for their involvement in Tablighi Jamaat activities."
While the country reels under the threat of coronavirus, it has been noted earlier that 30% of the cases in the month of May traced to Tablighi Jamaat congregation held in March in Delhi.
According to the reports, nearly 9,000 people, including foreigners, gathered at the 100-year-old mosque complex near Nizamuddin locality, with hundreds also staying in a six-floor dormitory on the campus. After attending the event, several members travelled across the country, with many of them carrying the virus. This surged the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
In order to stop the further spread of the virus, Centre and State government conducted a mega operation to trace the identities of the attendees, record their travel history, and then send them for isolation at the quarantine units.
An investigation in the matter by Crime Branch revealed that the foreign nationals had entered India on a tourist visa and participated in the Markaz. In addition to violating visa provisions, they also led to a situation where a highly infectious disease spread and threatened the lives of many.
It is noted that the chief of the Tablighi Jamaat, Maulana Saad, his son and few others have been under the scanner for defying the government order on lockdown and organising the religious congregation.