After 1700 test positive, PM Modi says Kumbh Mela should now only be ‘symbolic’ to strengthen Covid fight
The PM said that now that the two Sahi Snan are completed the festival should only be kept symbolic. Following this, the Juna Akhada announced that it would end its participation in the Kumbh Mela.
After many raised concerns and expressed their anger on the huge crowds of devotees at the Kumbh Mela amid the second and worst yet wave of Covid-19, PM Modi has urged that now after two ‘Shahi Snan’ are completed, the event should only be ‘symbolic’ to strengthen the fight against the pandemic.
Although only devotees with a negative RT-PCR test report were allowed to enter Haridwar and had been asked to maintain social distancing, pictures and videos from the festival clearly depicted a violation of SOPs.
Building on the same, PM Modi through a series of tweets said that he had spoken to Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha president Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj – the top seer – over the phone and made the appeal regarding the Kumbh Mela.
“All the seers are cooperating in every possible manner. I have urged them to keep the Kumbh a symbolic event due to the coronavirus pandemic, now that two ‘Shahi Snaan’ are completed. By doing so, we will get the strength to deal with this situation,” he said.
Following this, the Juna Akhada announced its decision to end its participation in the Kumbh Mela seeing the rise in Covid-19 cases. “We have duly offered final prayers to all deities invoked at the Kumbh Mela. For Juna Akhada, the Kumbh Mela has ended,” Juna Akhada Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshanand Giri tweeted.
Earlier this week, the Niranjani Akhada and Tapo Nidhi Shri Anand Akhada also announced that they are ending their participation in the festival due to health concerns. With Juna Akhada joining them, three of the 13 Akhadas have now ended their participation from the Kumbh Mela.
Meanwhile, states including Karnataka and Odisha have made a negative Covid-19 report mandatory for those returning from the Kumbh Mela. The returnees have also been asked to self-isolate themselves at home.
This comes after a senior Eeer died due to Covid-19 and over 30 Sadhus tested positive. As per Haridwar’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. SK Jha, more than 1,700 cases had been confirmed among devotees between 10 and 14th April.
It is no secret that the Kumbh Mela has been greatly mismanaged by authorities leading to a saga of chaos amidst the pandemic. Allowing a staggering 3.5 million people to gather at a place at a time when curfews are being imposed and even small gatherings are being prohibited by states seems illogical to say the least.
It either stems from an underestimation of the crowd or an overestimation of the state’s health resources. Whatever the reason may be, such ‘appeals’ when the Kumbh Mela is already underway can only repair so much damage.
