Sections of political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday voiced concern about the Kumbh Mela’s potential to weaken the country’s fight against Covid-19 after lakhs of devotees and seers had congregated at the Haridwar Kumbh for days.
Modi, in a telephone conversation with Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Poojya Swamy Avdheshanand Giri Ji, requested that the Kumbh be kept “symbolic from now on as two Shahi Snans (holy bathing rituals) have already taken place,” the Press Information Bureau, the Centre’s public information office said.
“This will strengthen the fight against the pandemic,” the PIB quoted Modi as saying. The Acharya has replied respecting the Prime Minister’s request and has asked devotees not to come for bathing in large numbers and to follow Covid-19 appropriate precautions, the PIB said.