INDORE: “I don’t use (masks).” This was the reply of the Minister of the Interior. Narottam Mishra on Wednesday when reporters in Indore He asked why he had come to the event without a face cover. “I do not wear a mask at any event,” he reiterated, although Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan repeatedly urge people to follow Covid precautions.
The irony, of course, is that he leads the force that is penalizing people for not wearing masks in public and disobeying Covid guidelines. He was also Minister of Health from April 22 to July 13.
Just two days ago, the MP’s high court had asked political and state officials to follow Covid’s precautions, noting: “Be you so tall, the law is above you.” The HC had issued notices to the state about a PIL alleging violation of Covid-19 protocols by political leaders in the run-up to the elections, saying: “The law … deserves respect and obedience, both from one man. common as a leader, a political official and even the head of state ”.
Mishra attended two public events in Indore on Wednesday and was seen shoulder to shoulder with party leaders, arguing with them and posing for photos with guests without wearing a mask. Those around him looked masked, but there was no social distancing.
Later, Mishra tried to explain that he cannot wear a mask for long due to the ‘polyps’. “I use it when I need it,” he said.
Narottam has openly challenged PM: Cong
When asked by the media why he didn’t have a mask, Mishra replied: “Kisi karyakram me nahi pahanta main, isme kya hota hai (I don’t use it in any show … so what)”. When the reporters insisted, Mishra repeated, “Nahi, pahanta nahi hu main (No, I don’t use it).”
His statement comes at a time when Covd-19 cases are on the rise in Madhya Pradesh and the virus has claimed more than 2,000 lives. Prime Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, eight members of Shivraj’s cabinet, and more than 30 senior and MLA leaders have tested positive so far, and MLA Congress Govardhan Dangi died of Covid complications ago. about a week.
After the controversy broke out, Mishra gave a clarification later in the evening. “I have (nasal) polyps and cannot wear masks for long periods. Causes suffocation. Despite that, I wear a mask in many places and programs, wherever it is needed. “He urged people to wear masks and follow Covid precautions.” I tell this to people every day, “he said. Sin However, for all of Wednesday, he was not seen wearing a mask at any of the public events, although the people around him, including his cabinet colleague and Covid survivor Tulsiram Silawat, did.
Congress broke with Mishra, asking if the Covid-19 guidelines should only apply to people.
The PCC’s media coordinator Narendra Saluja tweeted: “Interior Minister Narottam Mishra has openly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan by saying that he ‘does not wear a mask.’ Is there anyone who can take action against him for breaking the rules, or are the rules only for people? ”
BJP tried to downplay it. “Narottam Mishraji has a ‘vinodi swabhav’ (cheerful nature). I used to take all the Covid precautions, but on some occasions. This matter is nothing more than that, ”BJP media manager Lokendra Parashar told TOI.
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