At Least 21,07,000 People Took 'Snan' In Haridwar For Kumbh Mela, Flout All COVID Safety Norms
A huge crowd flocked to Har Ki Pauri?ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Uttarakhand's Haridwar for Shahi Snan or royal bath during the Kumbh Mela, violating the COVID-19 rules issued by the Health Ministry. Police say it is difficult to ensure social distancing at ghats.
A big crowd of devotees got together on the banks of river Ganges in Uttarakhand's Haridwar for Kumbh Mela - one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The large number of people visibly compromised social distancing norms and given the rising COVID-19 cases in the country, this is a reason to panic.
The huge crowd flocked to Har Ki Pauri ghat on the banks of the holy river for Shahi Snan or royal bath, violating the COVID-19 rules issued by the Health Ministry.
According to an ANI report, as much as 21,07,000 people have taken 'snan' in and around the Kumbh Mela area till 12 noon.
A negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours before arrival has been made mandatory for devotees gathering for the Kumbh by the Uttarakhand High Court.
Uttarakhand: People take a holy dip in Ganga river at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar.
¡ª ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2021
Kumbh Mela IG Sanjay Gunjyal says, "General public will be allowed here till 7 am. After that, this area will be reserved for akharas". pic.twitter.com/9PtcP9WwwG
Kumbh Mela IG Sanjay Gunjyal said that they are requesting people to abide by the COVID-19 safety and hygiene protocol but it is difficult to ensure social distancing at ghats.
¡°We are continuously appealing to people to follow COVID appropriate behaviour. But due to the huge crowd, it is practically not possible to issue challans today. It is very difficult to ensure social distancing at ghats,¡± he said.
ANI
He also said that if they try to enforce social distancing, a stampede-like situation may arise.
Due to the coronavirus-induced pandemic, the duration of Kumbh Mela has been cut down to 30 days this year for the first time in the history of the grand religious congregation. It is being organised from April 1 to 30. Usually, Kumbh is held for nearly four months once in 12 years.
ANI
Last month, the Centre had asked the Uttarakhand government to take stringent measures to control the spread of COVID-19 during Kumbh Mela while highlighting the concerns raised by the high-level central team that visited the state to review the situation.
