Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (SD)
New Delhi, Apr 1: Union Minister and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused the Tablighi Jamaat of committing a Talibani crime and terming it as an 'unpardonable sin'. The religious event has been linked to 128 coronavirus cases across the country.
The minority affairs minister in a tweet said, "Talibani Crime by Tablighi Jamaat. This is not negligence. It is a serious criminal act. When the entire country is fighting united against Corona, such a sin is unpardonable".
Earlier Naqvi had posted on his social media accounts messages by Muslim religious leaders who are appealing to people to strictly follow the coronavirus lockdown and other guidelines to control the virus.
The Tablighi Jamaat is an Islamic missionary movement preaching to follow orthodox Muslim ways. The members of the movement belong to different parts of the globe. Despite lockdown in various parts of the world due to coronavirus, the organization continued to hold large gatherings which have led to increasing cases in Pakistan and Malaysia.
The home ministry announced that over 2,100 foreigners attended the gathering and were stationed at 'Markaz Nizamuddin,' the organization headquarter at Delhi since January 1.
On March 30, officials carried out a 36-hour long evacuation when suspected cases started emerging because of the gathering. Over 2,300 people were evacuated. A case has been registered against the mosque administration.
The home ministry has told states to track down Tablighi members who travelled to various parts of the country.
Around 50 have tested positive in Tamil Nadu, 24 in Delhi, 21 in Telangana, 21 in Andhra Pradesh, 10 in Andamans and one each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir. Details of 824 foreigners, who travelled to different states, were shared with the police chiefs, the home ministry said.