New Delhi, Dec 21 (Agency) The Congress on Wednesday questioned the BJP government after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya penned a letter to party MP Rahul Gandhi to follow the Covid-19 norms or “suspend” the ongoing party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, and said the yatra will abide by the protocol if there is any for gatherings. “Parliament is meeting normally. Masks are no longer compulsory anywhere including on flights. BJP has taken out yatras in Rajasthan and Karnataka. There has been no advisory from the Centre to States of late except the one issued yesterday on genome sequencing. Public health is far too serious an issue on which to play party politics.
If there is a protocol for gatherings Bharat Jodo Yatra will abide by it undoubtedly,” Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said in a statement reacting to the Minister’s letter. The MP added, “The Union Health Minister wrote to Rahul Gandhi on the basis of a letter sent to him by a BJP MP from Rajasthan, who alleges that Bharat Jodo Yatra has not been following Covid protocols. This MP’s letter was sent following the enormous success of yatra in his state.” In his letter, Mandaviya said that Covid guidelines should be strictly followed during yatra and the use of masks and sanitisers can be implemented. “Only vaccinated people should participate in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Follow covid rules or suspend yatra,” he said.