Niranjani and Anand Akhada End Kumbh Participation; CM To Chair COVID Review Meeting

The potential super-spreader event has invited comparisons with the Tablighi Jamaat congregation held in Delhi last year which faced vicious and communal criticism

With over 2100 cases reported in Haridwar in the last 5 days and citing the “deteriorating situation in the state”, the Niranjani Akhada and Anand Akhada have decided to opt-out from the congregation and end their pilgrimage on April 17.

Niranjani Akhada is among the influential and one of the 13 akhadas which participated in the Kumbh Mela this year. “Given the situation of the pandemic in Haridwar, we have taken the decision to conclude the Kumbh on April 17,” said Ravindra Puri Maharaj, secretary of the Niranjani Akhada. He also added that “most of the saints and their followers” in their camps at Haridwar are experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms. According to the Times of India, approximately 14 lakh people took the holy dip, with no signs of COVID protocols on display.

As for the shahi snan on April 27, Maharaj said that they will take steps in line with the decision of the Akhada Parishad (the top body comprising of all akhadas)

“Till now, 30 sadhus have tested positive for COVID-19. The cases are not in any specific akhada. There are cases in almost all the akhadas, including Niranjini, Juna, and others,” said Dr SK Jha, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer to NDTV.

Also Read: 102 Test Positive For Covid-19 At Kumbh Mela, Police Say Not “Super Spreader” Event

Close to 350 people tested positive out of the 15000 samples tested on Wednesday, as per the mela administration. The head of the Maha Nirvani Akhara from Madhya Pradesh, Swami Kapil Dev who was under treatment for COVID-19 at a private hospital in Dehradun passed away yesterday confirmed an official.

Haridwar District Magistrate Deepak Rawat has appealed to the devotees to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. Rawat said, “We are appealing to the people and making them aware of the Covid-19 safety protocol. We are asking people to wear masks but ensuring social distancing in this very small area (where the Kumbh Mela is being held) is going to be a really challenging task.”

“Kumbh is at the bank of the River Ganga. Maa Ganga’s blessings are there in the flow. So, there should be no corona.”

Uttarakhand cm tirath singh rawat

The potential super-spreader event has invited comparisons with the Tablighi Jamaat congregation held in Delhi last year which faced vicious and communal criticism. Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat also drew flak for his comments where he said comparisons between Markaz and Kumbh shouldn’t be made. He said that because the former took place in a closed area and the latter is taking place in an open area, “there shouldn’t be any Corona.”

Uttarakhand recorded a huge spike of 2220 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. According to news reports, the CM is likely to chair a high-level meeting today with officials to take stock of the situation, with a possible cut short of Kumbh on the cards.