Ever since the coronavirus pandemic came into being last year, wearing a face mask has become a norm. However, despite repeated tutorials on how to wear a face mask properly (yes, some people required tutorials), it seems like the concept is lost on some.
Making matters worse even as the third wave is expected to hit India more harshly than the horrifying second one, a Uttarakhand minister was photographed sitting in a meeting with his face mask hanging off his toe.
Now, due to obvious reasons, the photo has gone viral and minister Swami Yatishwaranand has received backlash for his actions.
Yatishwaranand is not the only one in the photo without a mask. Four other people in the meeting are seen without masks, including two more ministers, Bishan Singh Chuphal and Subodh Uniyal.
Qazi Nizamuddin, Congress MLA from Haridwar, said, “The photograph showing cabinet minister Swami Yatishwaranand hanging his mask on foot just shows that he and his government put Covid-19 guidelines… under their feet.”
This is the seriousness of the ruling party’s ministers. Then they go ahead and punish poor people for not wearing masks,’ tweeted Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni.
AAP’s state spokesperson Amarjit Singh Rawat said, “It just shows how much the BJP leaders care about the Covid-19 guidelines when many died in the second wave due to the inadequate arrangements made by their government at the Centre. Swami Yatishwaranand should apologise for his behaviour to the public for his despicable act.”
Earlier this week, the state cancelled the Kanwar pilgrimage on account of Covid. The annual ritual sees thousands walk or ride to the river Ganga at Haridwar to collect water and bring it back to Shiva temples in their area.
