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Chitradurga: While the government, Central and State, have been insisting on wearing masks and maintaining social distance, even fining violators of the rule, state health minister B Sreeramulu was caught on camera in Chitradurga participating in a procession sans these very same tools humanity has to protect itself from the novel coronavirus.
Reportedly, the procession was part of the ‘Baagina Arpane’ event that is held to pay offerings to the Vedavathi River.
The incident has landed the BJP leader in a new controversy as not only was he not wearing a mask, but was also seen being welcomed by a large group of people with a massive apple garland.
#WATCH Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu takes part in a procession in Chitradurga; social distancing norms being flouted at the event, amid COVID19 pandemic
Total number of COVID19 positive cases in Karnataka is 3408 pic.twitter.com/9Z5vXNLq6B
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2020
What is ironic is that he requested the gathering to follow physical distancing and wear masks, even though he himself wasn’t wearing a mask.
Defending himself, the Minister claimed to reporters that the gathering was not planned and that he had only planned to come and go, “but the workers gathered”.
Following the incident, Congress spokesperson V S Ugrappa demanded that a case be filed against Minister Sreeramulu.
“Sreeramulu is a government representative. He was giving an offering to the Vedavati River. Thousands gathered without masks or distancing. Isn’t this a violation of government guidelines? What is the Chitradurga district administration doing? There was a large apple necklace with 2,500 apples. Isn’t this a preplanned event?,” the Congress leader told TNM.
So far, Karnataka has reported a total of 3,796 COVID-19 cases of which 52 are dead, two died of non-COVID causes and 1,403 have been discharged.
