Visit Haridwar: Are we really in a Pandemic?

On Sunday, massive crowds were seen at the Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar which is the site of the 'Shahi Snan'. Most people seen at Har Ki Pauri were neither wearing masks nor adhering to social distancing protocols.

Members of 13 akhadas will participate in the 'Shahi Snan' in Haridwar. The administration has allocated time for each of the seven 'Sanyasi' akhadas, three 'Bairagi' akhadas and three 'Vaishnav' akhadas to take part in 'Shahi Snan' between 8.30 am and 3 pm on Monday.

The central government had earlier this month instructed the Uttarakhand government to enforce stringent measures to ensure Covid-appropriate behavior in Haridwar during the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

Interestingly, during random COVID checking, several people within the crowd have tested positive and the government cannot say only COVID -ve people are allowed in Uttarakhand'.

There have also been reports that people are using false test reports to enter states which have restrictions that require a -ve RTPCR test.

The situation in almost every state is grim and in a time when the world's largest gathering takes place, it will only become a super spreader as people are visiting from all parts of the country.

There was a time when BJP was blaming Tablighi Jamaat for spreading the virus across the country but now such a huge gathering is being ignored. Not to forget the Tablighis were attacking Frontline warriors and spitting on them to spread the virus, but even this peaceful religious crowd could spread the virus unknowingly.