Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, having written to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to make sure Covid “protocol” is adopted in his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, right this moment mentioned, “I cannot neglect my duty of stopping potential Covid spread just because one family perhaps believes it’s above the rules… No one is entitled to special treatment.”

Citing issues after a spike in China, Mr Mandaviya, in his letter on Tuesday, had “requested” Rahul Gandhi to droop his yatra “in the national interest” if “protocol” couldn’t be adopted.

Today he mentioned “several people” have caught the virus after taking part within the yatra — citing Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for example.  

The Congress, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy, has mentioned, “We will certainly follow whatever protocol is put in place”. India has no masks mandate at current and has eliminated different restrictions, too, over the previous 12 months. 

A Health Ministry-led professional group later within the day issued an advisory for use of masks in crowded areas. It’s not binding, although, as the federal government maintains “there is no need to panic”.

“It’s my duty to ensure Covid doesn’t spread in the country. If someone thinks how can a minister question them (Rahul Gandhi), what can I do about that mindset? Questioning me is like obstructing me from doing my duty”:Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya put up Covid assessment meet pic.twitter.com/buqisQABb9

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 21, 2022

In the letter to Rahul Gandhi, Mansukh Mandaviya wrote: “I request [Rahul Gandhi] that Covid protocol, including use of masks and sanitisers, be strictly followed during the march and only those who are vaccinated be allowed to participate.” 

🔴 #BREAKING | Union Health Minister writes to Rahul Gandhi to make sure Covid guidelines are adopted in his Bharat Jodo Yatra https://t.co/Thl9wdawJOpic.twitter.com/Me7aOOJ89w

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 21, 2022

The letter additional mentioned, “If this Covid protocol cannot be followed, then, in view of the public health emergency, and to save the country from the Covid pandemic, I request you to suspend the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in the national interest.”

Dated December 20, when the yatra was in Rajasthan, the letter referred to 3 BJP MPs from the state having written to the minister “to express concern”. The yatra entered Haryana Wednesday morning.

In its clapback, the Congress cited PM Narendra Modi’s current ballot marketing campaign in Gujarat and the BJP’s ongoing marches. “The BJP is taking out yatras in Karnataka and Rajasthan. Has the Health Minister sent a letter to them?” mentioned Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. 

“Please announce Covid protocols; we will follow them,” the social gathering additional mentioned. 

क्या भारत सरकार को सिर्फ राहुल गांधी, कांग्रेस पार्टी और ‘भारत जोड़ो यात्रा’ दिख रही है?

क्या भारत सरकार को राजस्थान और कर्नाटक में भाजपा की यात्रा नहीं दिख रही है?

हम नियमों का पालन करेंगे, लेकिन सरकार उसकी घोषणा करे और वो नियम सभी पर लागू हों।

– @Pawankhera जी pic.twitter.com/XAWYx6Cg0t

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 21, 2022

The professional group assembly befell later within the day, after which Mr Mandaviya took a dig on the Congress’s Gandhis: “It is important to follow Covid protocols even if you belong to a certain family.”

Speaking in Hindi, he added, “I’m only a small member of the team led by the pradhan sevak (reference to PM Modi), I can’t question special people.”

Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury earlier mentioned, reacting to the letter, that the BJP is “looking for excuses after seeing the success of the yatra”.

“Was Modi ji wearing a mask when he went door to door to seek votes in Gujarat?” he remarked.

“The yatra has dented the propaganda the BJP spreads trough godi (pliant) media,” he mentioned, “But now Rahul Gandhi is all over social media. The yatra is being talked about, it’s making a massive impact. That’s why the Modi government has deployed (Mansukh) Mandaviya to use any excuse and try to turn people against the yatra.”

Rahul Gandhi has not reacted.