Prasanta Phukan
Dibrugarh's BJP MLA Prasanta Phukan along with party workers during 'Janta Curfew' at 5 pm on Sunday. Image credit - Northeast Now

Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan on Sunday could not maintain ‘social distance’ while paying respect to the medical professionals and health workers, who are leading the battle against coronavirus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently made an appeal to observe March 22 as ‘Janta Curfew’ from 7 am to 9 pm.

He also appealed to the people of the country to pay respect to the medical professionals and health workers, who are leading the battle against coronavirus.

Also read: Coronavirus: Modi calls for ‘Janta Curfew’ on March 22

The PM urged the people to stand in the balconies and at the doors of their houses and clap or ring bells for five minutes as a show of appreciation.

But Phukan’s failure to maintain this simple suggestion from the PM came to light as a video went viral on social media.

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Screen shot of the video shared by Prasanta Phukan on his Facebook page.

In the video, the MLA is seen beating a bell along with other BJP workers without taking any protection and keeping ‘social distance’.

Prasanta Phukan while sharing the video on his Facebook page said: “Thanks to all our doctors, allied health workers, police and security personals (personnel), safai workers and the people of India. Congratulations.”

Phukan, a senior BJP legislator from Dibrugarh, forgot what Prime Minister Modi had said in his appeal.

Modi urged all the people of the country to maintain social distance and appealed to remain indoors.

He advised the people not to come out of their homes during ‘Janta Curfew’ on Sunday.

But his appeal could not be maintained by one of the legislators of his own party.

In Dibrugarh, most of the people observed ‘Janta Curfew’ by remaining indoors and at 5pm all the citizens expressed their gratitude to the medical professionals and other health workers by clapping and beating bells while standing at their doorsteps and balconies.

Avik Chakraborty is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dibrugarh. He can be reached at: [email protected]