'Kumbh Mela Should Now Be Symbolic': PM Narendra Modi Urges Seers Amid Fight Against Covid

The Kumbh Mela congregation has caused a lot of worry amid the escalating Coronavirus crisis in the country. Lakhs of devotees visited Kumbh during the Shahi Snaan, a majority of them were seen taking the holy dips without following Covid-19 norms such as maintaining social distancing or even wearing a mask.

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New Delhi: In a telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested Swami Avdheshanand Giri to now have the ongoing Kumbh Mela in a symbolic manner as the 2 'Shahi Snaan' have concluded and Coronavirus second wave is soaring in the country.

PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to inform about this conversation. "Spoke to Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giri ji on the phone today. Got to know about the health of all saints. All the saints are giving all kinds of support to the administration. I thanked them for this," he wrote.

"Now that the two Shahi Snaan have taken place, I have requested that the Kumbh be held in a symbolic manner due to the Corona crisis. This will give strength to the fight against this crisis," he added.

Responding to this request of PM Modi, Swami Avdheshanand has urged people to not visit Kumbh in large numbers as seen in recent visuals.

His Hindi tweet translates to: "We honor the call of Hon'ble Prime Minister! Protecting life is a great virtue. I urge the devotees not to come for a bath in large numbers and observe the rules, given the circumstances of the Covid!".

The Kumbh Mela congregation has caused a lot of worry amid the escalating Coronavirus crisis in the country. Lakhs of devotees visited Kumbh during the Shahi Snaan, a majority of them were seen taking the holy dips without following Covid-19 norms such as maintaining social distancing or even wearing a mask.

Earlier, the Niranjan Akhada announced curtailing the ongoing Kumbh Mela on April 17 which is almost two weeks ahead of schedule. This development came after several senior BJP leaders in Uttarakhand held a discussion with the Akhadas seeking an end to it amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state and the country.

The BJP government in Uttarakhand previously had announced that Kumbh Mela will go on as per schedule and end on April 30.

"Senior BJP leaders met 13 Akhadas with a request to take a decision to wind up the mela seeing the severe situation of Covid. After the discussion, Akhadas have agreed to our request. After the Niranjani Akhada, most of the Akhadas have responded positively to our request and in the next couple of days, they will make the announcement," news agency IANS quoted as senior party leader as saying.

"Currently, the state is not in favour of curtailing the Kumbh Mela but seeing the sudden surge of Covid cases, a discussion has started to review the decision. Discussions with the religious channels has also been initiated," another senior BJP leader said.

Several devotees including saints from different Akhadas have tested positive for Coronavirus in Haridwar. Mahamandaleshwar Kapil Dev Das, of Madhya Pradesh's Nirwani Akhada, one of the 13 main akhadas in the Kumbh, died from Covid-19 complications at a private facility in Haridwar on Thursday.