Having returned from a vacation, former and upcoming Congress President Rahul Gandhi once again resorted to striking panic in the hearts of every Indian. One would expect a ‘national leader’ like Gandhi to show political restraint in times when a global pandemic could affect us all, however, the thing with Rahul is that expectations from him always result in disappointment, a sentiment which Sonia Gandhi would also testify to.
Rahul Gandhi, after Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan’s comprehensive address to the Parliament yesterday, tweeted, “The Health Minister saying that the Indian Govt has the #coronavirus crisis under control is like the Capt of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable. It’s time the Govt made public an action plan backed by solid resources to tackle this crisis.”
The Health Minister saying that the Indian Govt has the #coronavirus crisis under control, is like the Capt of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable.
It's time the Govt made public an action plan backed by solid resources to tackle this crisis.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 5, 2020
There has been a sudden increase in the number of confirmed cases in the country, with the figure standing at 30 at the moment of filing this report. Close to 60 countries have confirmed cases of Coronavirus. As such, for India to also encounter cases of COVID-19 was only but expected. In anticipation of the same, the Modi government has been on the front foot for quite some time now, something which Rahul wouldn’t be aware of, courtesy his rendezvous in some corner of the globe.
If only Rahul Gandhi would have cared to pay heed to what the Health Minister stated in Parliament, he would not be making this infantile comparison between Coronavirus and Titanic. His own party stalwart, Shashi Tharoor admitted that the Health Minister gave a comprehensive briefing on the government’s preparedness to tackle any situation arising due to COVID-19.
Thanks @drharshvardhan for a comprehensive briefing to the LokSabha on India's preparedness for the coronavirus & measures undertaken so far. Here are the questions i was raising my hand to ask, but did not have a chance to: [thread follows]
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 5, 2020
Union Health Minister did very well put forward the government’s plan of action before the Parliament, only that it is already in force. Close to 6 lakh individuals have been screened so far at all international airports, and suspected victims are being quarantined. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “We have made district collectors the nodal officers for the containment efforts. We have also told states to form rapid response teams. A major challenge is to prevent containment in Agra where six family members were infected by one positive patient from Delhi. The cluster containment approach would be needed to prevent community cases.”
He also informed the Parliament that the Prime Minister himself was leading the fight against Coronavirus, adding that all government ministries and departments have been asked to work in synchronization with the Health Ministry to contain a public health emergency.
It seems however, that Rahul Gandhi’s definition of tacking a public health emergency is by acting paranoid, a luxury which the government is not extending for him. Unless and until there is mayhem in the country, Rahul Gandhi would not be satisfied with the handling of the situation.
The government has been proactive in ensuring that the spread of the deadly virus is contained in India. Admitting to the efficacy of the government’s dealing will reap no benefits for Rahul and his family. Hence, trying to create a sense of panic is the next best thing the man is capable of. It must be remembered that the same man had, in December last year, alleged that the Modi government was aiming for an ‘ethnic cleansing‘ of the North-eastern tribes. How loosely that comment was made needs no elucidation.
All being said, the Modi government does not need to be lectured by a man on an ever-present vacation season, especially on matters which he has no understanding of, which would frankly mean all matters. One needs to be absolutely oblivious to current affairs to be of the opinion that the government is doing nothing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
