Mandaviya's letter to Rahul on Covid control at Yatra sparks row

NEW DELHI: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya Wednesday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to ensure that Covid protocol is followed in his Bharat Jodo Yatra, and that he should consider stopping the march if this is not possible, triggering angry reactions from Congress which alleged a "political motive" behind the advisory, reports Durgesh Nandan Jha.
"Follow Covid guidelines strictly during Bharat Jodo Yatra... If following Covid protocol is not possible then the Bharat Jodo Yatra be postponed in the national interest, taking note of the public health emergency," the letter said.
Congress, in its reaction to the letter, said the health minister had "singled out" the opposition party's event even though BJP was also involved in crowd mobilisation.
Why minister's Covid-caution letter only to us, asks Congress
Defending his letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to follow Covid protocol in his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said several people attending the Yatra had tested positive and it was necessary for participants to isolate themselves. Congress leaders wondered why the note of caution was not sounded to BJP members organising events as well.
"Use of masks-sanitiser should be implemented. Only vaccinated people should participate," the health minister said in his letter to Rahul. "Participants should isolate themselves before and after the Yatra."
Talking to reporters in Parliament, Mandaviya said, "Many people who participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra have been found positive for Covid. Himachal Pradesh CM, who had participated in the Yatra, also tested positive. To ensure that this doesn't lead to the spread of infection in Rajasthan, I called a meeting of experts and on the basis of their suggestions, wrote a letter to Rahul Gandhi, who is in charge of the Yatra, advising that Covid-appropriate behaviour should be followed."
He added that Congress' criticism reflected the party's negligent attitude towards the pandemic.
Congress leader Pawan Khera, who pointed to the lack of restrictions in public transport, also asked the government to announce Covid protocols and said the party would follow them."We are wondering why a similar letter was not sent to the president of BJP in Rajasthan, Satish Punia, who is carrying out a Janakrosh Yatra there," he told reporters.
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh pointed out that Parliament is meeting normally. "Masks are no longer compulsory anywhere, including on flights. BJP has taken out yatras in Rajasthan and Karnataka. There has been no advisory from the Centre to states of late except the one issued yesterday on genome sequencing. It also bears recall that in March 2020, the Modi government delayed imposition of lockdown by at least a week to enable the toppling of the Congress govt in MP," he added.
Ramesh said public health was far too serious an issue on which to play party politics. "If there is a protocol for gatherings Bharat Jodo Yatra will abide by it undoubtedly," the AICC general secretary (communications), said in a statement.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra observed its last day in Rajasthan on Tuesday and entered Haryana on Wednesday.