Amid a surge in Covid cases at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and worries of it turning into a super spreader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he has appealed for the Kumbh to now be "only symbolic" due to Covid crisis.
The prime minister tweeted that he spoke to Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhada on phone and asked about the health of sadhus at the mela. The PM added that he appealed to the saints for a symbolic Kumbh for the rest of the period as it "will strengthen .the fight" against Covid-19.
More than 2,000, including a number of sadhus from various akhadas, have tested positive at Kumbh in the last 5 days.
After PM's appeal, Swami Avdheshanand appealed to devotees to not come to Kumbh in large numbers and follow Covid guidelines.