September 24, 2020 10:18:46 am
Narottam Mishra had said: “I don’t wear a mask on any show. ‘Isme kya hota hai?” (AND ME)
Madhya Pradesh’s BJP leader and Interior Minister Narottam Mishra, who caused a stir by saying that he does not wear a face mask at any government event, has now expressed regret for his statement after facing backlash from the opposition.
On Wednesday, at an event in Indore, when asked why he wasn’t wearing a mask, Mishra said: “I don’t wear a mask on any show. ‘Isme kya hota hai?’ (And that).”
Following this, Congress launched a direct attack, asking if the COVID-19 regulations are intended only for ordinary people. “Is there anyone who has the courage to act against him (Mishra)? Are the rules just for ordinary people? “Madhya Pradesh Congress Speaker Narendra Saluja tweeted.
Now accepting his mistake, the state interior minister has said: “My statement about wearing a mask appears to be a violation of the law. It was not in keeping with the sentiment of the prime minister. I accept my mistake and I regret it. I will wear a mask. I also call on everyone to wear masks and observe social distancing. “
#CLOCK Madhya Pradesh Interior Minister Narottam Mishra says “I don’t wear it” when asked why he doesn’t wear a mask at an event in Indore. (23.09.2020) pic.twitter.com/vQRyNiG3ES
– ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2020
When Congress attacked him on Wednesday, Mishra later played down his comments, saying he cannot continue to wear a mask for a long time due to a medical condition. “I normally wear a mask, but I can’t wear it for a long time as I suffer from Polypus and if I wear a mask it suffocates me,” PTI quoted Mishra.
Mishra was in Indore to participate in an aid distribution program under the Sambal Yojana state government, which provides social security coverage to the poor and SC and ST communities. However, Mishra’s cabinet colleagues Tulsiram Silawat and other BJP leaders, who also attended the event, wore masks.
Indore is among the worst affected districts in Madhya Pradesh, which has reported 20,834 COVID-19 cases and 516 deaths so far.
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