The Tablighi Jamaat event was organized in March in Delhi. (Proceedings)
New Delhi:
A large gathering of the Tablighi Jamaat Islamic sect in March in Delhi, despite orders issued by various authorities following the coronavirus outbreak, “also” caused the virus to spread among “many people,” the government reported to parliament today.
“As reported by the Delhi police, despite the guidelines / orders issued by various authorities in compliance with the COVID-19 outbreak, a large gathering met inside a closed premises; for an extended period of time, without any appearance of social distancing or provision of masks and disinfectants. This also led to the spread of the Corona virus infection among many people (sic), “Minister of State (Internal Affairs) G Kishan Reddy reported to the Rajya Sabha in his written response to a question on whether the meeting was a “main reason” for the spread of the coronavirus in Delhi and other states.
Hundreds of people, both foreigners and locals, tested positive for the coronavirus after attending a religious gathering organized by Tablighi Jamaat at a mosque in Delhi’s Nizamuddin town in March or coming into contact with followers of the sect.
The Interior Ministry was responding to a question from Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai, who asked the ministry to specify whether the spread of the coronavirus in Delhi and other states was due to the gathering of people for the meeting. The Sena deputy also requested details on the number of people who attended the meeting and the number of people arrested so far.
The Interior Ministry said Delhi police evacuated 2,361 people from Tablighi Jamaat on March 29.
“The Delhi police have arrested 233 people from Jamaat. However, with regard to Jamaat chief Maulana Mohd. Saad, the investigation is ongoing,” Reddy said.
The Delhi police have so far filed 59 indictment sheets against 956 foreign nationals from 36 countries. The center has canceled their visas and blacklisted them.
The foreigners had entered India on tourist visas and had participated in religious gatherings, according to charge sheets.
Initially, on March 31, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, the head of the Islamic group, and six others under the sections of the Epidemic Disease Law, the Disaster Management Law ( 2005), the Law on Foreigners; and other relevant sections of the law.
Later, Delhi police filed wrongful death charges that did not amount to murder against Maulana Saad Kandhalvi after some of those attending the religious congregation died due to COVID-19.
Several courts, including the Aurangabad court of the Bombay High Court, overturned the FIRs against members of Tablighi Jamaat and acquitted them of charges of spreading the coronavirus.
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