PM Modi tweeted that he urged to keep the Kumbh participation now symbolic which will help to curb the pandemic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged that the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar "should now only be symbolic amid coronavirus crisis." In the last few days, huge crowds had gathered along the banks of the Ganga that sparked nationwide concern as the number of Covid cases have been on a rise amid the second wave of the pandemic.
PM Modi tweeted that he spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara over telephone and inquired about the health of the saints. He appreciated their cooperation with the local administration. "I prayed that two 'shahi snan' have taken place and Kumbh (participation) should now be kept symbolic. This will boost the fight against this crisis," he tweeted in Hindi.
Replying to PM Modi's tweet, Swami Avdheshanand tweeted in Hindi that they respected PM Modi's appeal and that saving lives is sacred. He urged people to not gather in large numbers for the ritual bath during Kumbh Mela due to the current Covid crisis and appealed to everyone to follow all Covid protocols.
This year, the ongoing Kumbh's duration has already been shortened to just one month from April 1 to 30 due to the pandemic, which is otherwise held from mid January to April. Many saints have tested positive for coronavirus whereas Swami Kapil Dev from Madhya Pradesh, leader of the Maha Nirvani Akhada, died while being treated for Covid infection at a private hospital in Dehradun.
Meanwhile, India reported 2,34,692 new Covid cases today which is the highest single-day spike recorded so far.
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