Kumbh Mela and Nizamuddin Markaz shouldn’t be compared: Uttarakhand CM
Dehradun, Apr 14: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Tuesday said the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar should not be compared with the Nizamuddin Markaz which was held in a closed space and attended even by foreigners.
"There should be no comparison between Kumbh and Markaz. The Markaz was held in a closed space, in a Kothi like structure whereas the Kumbh is being held in the open on the sprawling ghats of the Ganga," Rawat said on a weekly talk show organised by the Hindustan Times.
The
chief
minister
was
replying
to
a
question
as
to
why
the
two
religious
events
should
not
be
equated
(Nizamuddin
Markaz
and
Kumbh)
as
Kumbh
also
draws
crowds
and
could
strengthen
the
second
wave
of
the
coronavirus
infection.
Citing
other
differences
between
the
Kumbh
Mela
in
Haridwar
and
Nizamuddin
Markaz,
Rawat
said,
"The
devotees
attending
Kumbh
are
not
from
outside
but
our
own
people."
"Moreover, when the Markaz was held there was not much awareness about Corona nor were there any guidelines. No one knew for how long the attendees of the Markaz had remained in the confines of the structure," he said.
Kumbh mela returnees may exacerbate COVID-19 pandemic: Sanjay Raut
"Now there is more awareness both about Covid and the guidelines related to it" the chief minister added. He also said Kumbh comes once in 12 years and is linked with the faith and sentiments of millions of people. "Holding it successfully amid the challenge posed by Covid-19 by ensuring that the SOP is strictly followed by all is our goal," he said.
Rawat said people's health is a priority but matters of faith cannot be totally ignored.
"Cases have of course risen of late but we are following the health ministry guidelines and the recovery rate is good. Arrangements are also adequate to deal with any situation," he said.
Largescale arrangements of masks and sanitisers have been made in the Mela area and the entire machinery is working day and night to ensure that the Covid guidelines are followed by everyone, the chief minister said. People are being checked at the border points before being allowed to enter Haridwar and attend the Mela. There are also arrangements for the random testing of people, he said.
Haridwar is all set to organise another Shahi Snan on the occasion of "Mesh Sankranti" on Wednesday during the ongoing Kumbh.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand on Tuesday reported the highest single-day spike this year in Covid cases with 1,925 testing positive in the state. Dehradun district with 775 cases, Haridwar with 594, Nainital with 217 and Udham Singh Nagar with 172 led the table while 13 infected patients died.