'Kumbh Or Ramzan, No Covid-Appropriate Behaviour Seen': Home Minister Amit Shah

"Whether it is Kumbh or Ramzan, there has been no Covid-appropriate behaviour. It cannot happen. That is why we had to appeal and the Kumbh has now turned symbolic," said Home Minister Amit Shah.

Amit Shah (Image Source: PTI)

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that people participating in the Kumbh Mela or Ramzan festivities failed to follow Covid appropriate norms, he added that Indians as tackled the Covid-19 pandemic well so far. 

In an interview, he defended political rallies in West Bengal by stating 'that elections are held by the Election Commission and not elected governments'.

During an interview with Times Now, he said, "whether it is Kumbh or Ramzan, there has been no Covid-appropriate behaviour. It cannot happen. That is why we had to appeal and the Kumbh has now turned symbolic". 

He further defended the ongoing Assembly elections and political rallies and said: "No election government can organize an election. Our Constitution has no scope for vacuum as far as Parliament and state assemblies are concerned. Elections have to be held when terms of state assemblies expire". 

Kumbh Mela Called off 

On Saturday, acting upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal, Juna Akhada Chief Swami Avdheshanand has announced to call off the Kumbh Mela. Avdheshanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandleshwar, Juna Akhara said that the people of India and their survival is our first priority. Given the rising number of coronavirus cases, the Kumbh Mela has been concluded for Juna Akhara.

Taking to his official Twitter account, Swami Avdheshanand wrote, "The people of India and their survival is our first priority. In view of significantly rising cases of Coronavirus, we have duly immersed all the deities of Kumbh. This is the formal immersion of Kumbh from Juna Akhada."

Nationwide Lockdown

Upon being asked whether there may be a nationwide lockdown like 2020, the home minister said: "We had three months ago allowed states to decide their own curbs. Now such measures will have to be taken at the states' level as the situation is different in different states. It is better for states to decide their own restrictions."