The number of coronavirus cases linked to the massive Islamic congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin last month shot up to at least 331 on Wednesday, accounting for the sharpest single-day spike in India since the outbreak of the deadly pandemic. Tamil Nadu has registered the largest share so far at 190, followed by 70 in Andhra Pradesh, 24 in Delhi, 21 in Telangana, 13 in Assam, 10 in the Andamans, two in Puduchhery and one in Kashmir. Altogether 17 people from Arunachal also travelled to Nizamuddin around the same time and they are under quarantine now.
With Assam recording a high number of cases, Arunachal will have to remain alert, being the immediate neighbour. The decision to conduct such a congregation at a time when the whole world is battling the spread of Covid-19 was very irresponsible on the part of the organizer the Tablighi Jamaat. Actions are being initiated against them rightly by the government. However, it is worrying to see people giving a communal colour to the whole episode. A section of the media along with right wing groups are trying to send out a message as if the spread of the virus was deliberately done by the organizer of congregation. This is spreading hatred against the Muslim community. It is really unfortunate that even a global pandemic has taken a communal colour in India. This exposes everything that is wrong with the Indian society. Instead of blaming any community, effort should be made to fight together against this virus. The people should stop giving a communal colour to the whole Markaz episode and instead help to trace those who attended the meet.