MP Mantri Narottam Mishra Now Appeals To People To Wear Mask, But Continues To Avoid Wearing One Himself

MP Minister Narottam Mishra, who earlier said he don't wear a mask in any programmes, had to apologise for the behaviour after his comments drew flak from public including the Congress party.

Madhya Pradesh's state home minister and BJP leader Narottam Mishra. (PIC/ANI)

Coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh: Even as the coronavirus cases are steadily on the rise again, Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Narottam Mishra, who presented an irresponsible act by not wearing a mask at an event and also defended the act by citing reasons, retracted from the statement after it invited severe criticism from all quarters. Also Read: India's Covid-19 Tally Surges Past 56 Lakh-Mark With 83,000 New Cases; Recovery Rate Stands At 81.25% Since the disease has reared its ugly head in the country, several politicians have been suffering from the infection.  In the latest incident, Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi succumbed to the infection at New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Wednesday evening. Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra had attended an event on Wednesday in Indore without a mask and can be clearly seen surrounded by reporters in the video without a mask or any protective gear. On being asked by reporters about not wearing any mask, the leader said, "I don't wear a mask in any programmes. ''Isme kya hota hai?'' (so what)." However, Narottam Mishra justified the statement later by calling on reporters against wearing masks and said, “I normally wear a mask but I can't sport it for a long time, as I am suffering from Polypus and if I wear a mask it leads to suffocation.” It's interesting to note here that the minister at the time of defending his statement can be seen without the mask again. It shows the laxity and negligence of the minister, who at one hand is stressing on the protocol of wearing mask mandatorily and showing up again without any mask. In fact, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had recovered from the disease last month. At present two ministers in Madhya Pradesh are infected with coronavirus. The Opposition was quick enough to react to his careless act, asking are Covid-19 norms meant only for the common people. "Is there anyone who has the courage to take action against him (Mr Mishra). Are rules only for common people?" Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesman Narendra Saluja tweeted.

Meanwhile, major newspaper publications in Bhopal have criticised the minister for this act and said they will not publish any photograph of ministers who attend event without mask going ahead.  They will be publishing earlier photos which show them in mask. After the issue kicked a controversy, Narottam Mishra apologised for his behaving saying he will abide by wearing the mask. As a Cabinet minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, the leader looks after the Home Ministry besides other portfolios. The same event were attended by his cabinet colleagues Tulsiram Silawat and other BJP leaders, were seen wearing masks. Mishra said, “My statement over wearing a mask appears to be a violation of law. It wasn't in line with sentiment of the PM. I accept my mistake and express regret. I'll wear mask. I also appeal to everyone to wear mask & observe social distancing: MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra (File photo)

Indore is the worst-hit district in the state and the number of cases rose to 20,834, including 516 deaths on Wednesday, as per the news agency PTI. Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday recorded 2,346 new coronavirus cases, taking the total count to 1,13,057, the state health department said. Check the list of politicians who passed away or are fighting against coronavirus

• Durga Prasad Rao, a Lok Sabha member from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and H. Vasantha Kumar, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee working president and Kanyakumari MP also succumbed to the disease.
• Former Indian cricketer and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Chetan Chauhan and minister of technical education in the Yogi Adityanath government Kamal Rani also passed away due to Covid-19.
• On September 14, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Manish Sisodia also announced his positive status. Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka Ashok Gasti has also passed away due to Covid-19.
• Mahendra Singh, Panachayat Minister and Hardeep singh Dang, a Cabinet minister in Madhya Pradesh are also infected with coronavirus.
• Govardhan Dangi, a Congress MLA from Biaora, also died of the infection.