New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took to Twitter and said that the Kumbh Mela should be made symbolic because of the Covid situation in the country. He said he got an update on the health of the Niranjan Akhada seers who had tested positive following the Kumbh Mela that was held in Haridwar in the past week. On Saturday, the seers of Juna Akhada also announced that they were withdrawing from Kumbh.

The decision comes as India on Saturday saw yet another record high of Covid-19 cases in 24 hours with 2,34,692 fresh Covid cases and 1,341 deaths. Active cases in India are now at 16,79,740. Ten States including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have reported 79.32% of the new cases.

In a Twitter post, PM Modi said that he has had a phone call with Swami Awadheshanand Giri to enquire about the health of the saints. He further added that all kinds of assistance will be provided for the well-being of the saints. “Two royal baths at the Kumbh Mela have taken place so far, lets keep the proceedings at Kumbh symbolic, it will help in providing strength to fight against the Corona crisis,” the Prime Minister said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, with the country witnessing a massive rise in COVID-19 cases, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday accused the Modi government of "gross unpreparedness" and "adhocism" in managing the crisis and suggested reducing the immunization age to 25 years and providing income support to people. Chairing the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), she also called for making all equipment, medicines and instruments required for treating COVID-19 free of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"It is true that after months of denial, the Centre has now given emergency use authorisation for vaccines developed elsewhere. Govt must also reconsider its priority for vaccine candidates by reducing immunization age to 25 years and above." Sonia Gandhi said during CWC meeting.

The Congress president also said that as Central and State governments resort to partial curfews, travel restrictions, lockdowns; we'll again be restricting economic activity that'll hit many including poor and needy. Imperative to provide monthly income support and transfer Rs 6,000 in every eligible citizen’s account. 

(With Agency Inputs)