Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has been severely criticised for his ‘irresponsible’ remark – “no need to wear mask”.
This remark from Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the Assam Health Minister, has been criticised not only by his political opponents, but also by the general public.
Himanta Biswa Sarma during an interview had said: “In Assam, there is no Covid. Now we have to revive the economy. If we wear a mask, then how can beauty parlours function? I will tell people when to wear the mask, if there is a need.”
#COVID19 comes to #Assam only with due permission from #HimantaBiswaSarma
Alos, no mask for the sake of beauty industry in #Assam https://t.co/JRTIYe5ZKG— sushmita goswami (@sushmitagoswami) April 4, 2021
This remark by Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, to a reporter from online news website – The Lallantop – came on a day India recorded nearly 90,000 new Covid-19 cases.
Speaking of Assam, the State as on April 4, has 1,945 active Covid-19 cases.
Among those to hit back at Himanta Biswa Sarma was Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi.
“We have the first state in the country… or rather the world… whose Health Minister has declared it COVID-free and has advised no masks (or) Covid protocols to be followed… We must all celebrate the feat and get WHO (World Health Organization) to endorse it!” Priyanka Chaturvedi said.
We have the first state in the country or rather the world whose Health Minister has declared it COVID free and has advised no masks needed, no COVID protocols to be followed either. We must all celebrate the feat& get WHO to endorse it! I urge GoI to do the needful!
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 4, 2021
Also read: Campaigning for third phase of Assam Assembly elections ends, 40 seats go to polls on April 6
It may be mentioned here that India is witnessing a second surge of COVID-19 pandemic.