Updated Apr 16, 2021 | 11:45 IST
Niranjani Akhar and Anand Akhara have decided to opt out of Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar due to the deteriorating coronavirus situation in Uttarakhand. Kumbh Mela in Haridwar | Photo Credit: AP
Dehradun: In one more signal that Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar is turning out to be ‘super spreader’, 30 sadhus who attended the mega religious event, have tested positive for COVID-19.
Chief Medical Officer Dr SK Jha confirmed that 30 sadhus have tested positive for coronavirus so far in Haridwar. The CMO said that health professionals are visiting the akharas and conducting RT-PCR tests on sadhus.
Jha said that the serious coronavirus patients are being sent to AIIMS in Rishikesh and COVID positive people who are from Haridwar have been sent for home quarantine.
Secretary of the Niranjani Akhada Mahant Ravindra Puri said that “most of the saints and their followers” in the camps at Haridwar have Covid-19 like symptoms due to which saints of the akhada have decided to end the mela from April 17.
Times View
India may be staring at a public health crisis of frightening proportions. It declared victory to the world after the first wave passed, and let its guard – and mask – down. The numbers are leaping from day to day at a speed that far outstrips last year’s. The huge election rallies, especially in Bengal, and the Maha Kumbh are almost certain to accelerate the spread of the infection. While it may be more localised in poll-bound states – that, at least, is the hope – there’s a deepening fear among public health officials that the dispersal of the millions who have congregated in Haridwar might act as a national super-spreader. The Prime Minister is to be commended for emphasising – during his recent interaction with chie
Apr 16, 2021, 16:57 IST
The Uttarakhand government or BJP, in general, is not realizing what situation they are in. The Kumbh Mela incident is something that puts thousands of people at risk. Nothing can be said as of now but the situation that has already gotten out of hands might become even worse if a solid decision isn’t taken.
It was reported that over 1000 people in Haridwar were detected with the coronavirus. On Monday, around 400 people tested positive while on Tuesday, it was 600. This number in Haridwar is increasing every day.
Even though the situation is significantly worse and there is a risk of contracting the virus, many people are attending religious events and political rallies. In the past two days, devotees in large numbers gathered near the river banks to take a dip in the holy water. The Kumbh Mela which was supposed to be a hush event this year took a dangerous turn and the ruling party has not done anything to control the situation.
Exclusive content, features, opinions and comment - hand-picked by our editors, just for you.
Pick 5 of your favourite companies. Get a daily email with all the news updates on them.
Track the industry of your choice with a daily newsletter specific to that industry.
Stay on top of your investments. Track stock prices in your portfolio.
NOTE :
This product is a monthly auto renewal product.
Cancellation Policy: You can cancel any time in the future without assigning any reasons, but 48 hours prior to your card being charged for renewal. We do not offer any refunds.
To cancel, communicate from your registered email id and send the mail with the request to assist@bsmail.in. Include your contact number for easy reference. Requests mailed to any other ID will not be acknowledged or actioned upon.