New Delhi: Tehseen Poonawalla has requested President Ram Nath Kovind to instruct PM Narendra Modi to undergo self-isolation as per the protocols of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) since he was in close proximity with Mahant Nitya Gopal Das, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. The head of the Ram temple trust had shared the dais with PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanat, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5.
Poonawalla has written a letter to the president urging him to ask PM Modi to go into self-isolation according to the guidelines of the ICMR. As per the protocols laid down by the union health ministry, individuals who may have been exposed to a Covid-19 positive person should opt for self-isolation or quarantine.
Meanwhile, joining the chorus of Poonawalla, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Shehla Rashid tweeted: The fact that @narendramodi has contact history with a COVID-19 positive person means that he needs to be quarantined. He's not above the law. By the way, imagine the outcry if a Muslim priest had tested positive after a religious gathering! All hell would break loose."
Bhoomi pujan: ‘All attendees were tested for COVID-19’
Meanwhile, Times Now’s Mohit Bhatt said that souces in the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust confirmed that each person who attended the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony underwent COVID test and nobody even with mild symptoms were allowed the entry. They maintained that strict protocols were followed for the ground-breaking ceremony.
Here’s what Poonawalla's letter states:
“Your Excellency, At the outset, please accept my heartiest best wishes and prayers for your health, your family and the entire staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan. You maybe aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit our nation very badly. Despite our large infection rates, our health institutions, our healthcare workers and one and all are doing their best to contain the virus and ensure the health and safety of everybody in this great country.”
“Your excellency, you maybe aware that India's apex healthcare policy body, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has established guidelines and protocols for self-isolation and quarantine, for those individuals who may have been exposed to a Covid-19 positive person.”
“Your excellency, I write to you as a responsible citizen of this country and bring to your attention that the Ram temple trust (Ayodhya head) Shri Mahant Nritya Gopal Das ji has been tested Covid-19 positive. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das ji as the head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust shared stage with the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi Ji along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri. Yogi Adityanath ji, Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel ji, Shri. Mohan Bhagwat ji chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and several other government officers during the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for a Ram Temple at Ayodhya last week. I urge you and humbly request you to issue directions to our Hon'ble Prime Minister and other notable persons who shared stage with Mahant Gopal Das ji to take a Covid-19 PCR test and further se Since the Prime Minister's health and well being is of n interest, the result of this test should be made public.”
“However, the nation joins me in praying to the Lord, that the tests come out as negative. for all those who were exposed to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das ji. In any case, the Hon'ble Prime Minister, by self isolation will set a world wide example about the significance of self-isolation after coming in close proximity to a Covid-19 positive person. In this regard, I would appeal you to direct Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and all other who attended the Bhoomi pujan ceremony on 5th of August 2020 to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days in the interest Of the nation. I remain, under your leadership, a humble and proud citizen of this glorious motherland,” Poonawala’s letter read.