Recently, Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor tested positive for coronavirus after having flown down from London. But what became more of a concern was that after Kanika Kapoor landed, she allegedly attended 3 parties where several bureaucrats, politicians and socialites were present, one of the attendees being BJP MP Dushyant Singh, making him susceptible to the disease.
According to a report by NDTV, Dushyant Singh along with his mother, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, have gone into self-isolation.
On March 18, Dushyant Singh met with the President and several other MPs for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan (before Kanika Kapoor was tested positive). Hema Malini, Mary Kom, Union ministers Rajyavardhan Rathore and Arjun Ram Meghwal are some of the names who were present at the breakfast, making all of them susceptible to COVID-19.
Sources revealed that Singh also attended the BJP parliamentary party meeting on March 17, again making all the attendees susceptible to the virus.
After realising this, several MPs including Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, AAP member Sanjay Singh, Congress leaders Deepender Hooda and Jitin Prasada have gone into self-isolation.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, Derek O’Brien has self-isolated himself after coming in contact with Dushyant Singh at the parliamentary meeting.
“I am on self-isolation and following all protocol, as I was sitting right next to MP Dushyant for two hours at a Parliament meeting on March 18,” said Derek O’Brien.
O’Brien expressed his anger at the Centre for not suspending the Parliament despite repeated requests.
“This Govt is putting us all at risk. The PM says self isolate yourself but the Parliament is on. I was sitting next to Dushyant the other day for 2.5 hours. There are two more MPs who are in self-isolation. The session should be deferred,” O’Brien said.
5.30 pm.
Friday, March 20.
Home.
New Delhi.
My statement on video.Am on self-isolation and following all protocol, as I was sitting right next to MP Dushyant for two hours at a #Parliament meeting on March 18. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/vX01w9o1D8
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 20, 2020
With the rise in panic, President Ram Nath Kovind has cancelled all appointments.
“The coronavirus outbreak has forced us to keep a respectful distance from others. This isolation, self-imposed or medically mandated, can be taken as an ideal opportunity to ponder our journey so far and the future path,” he said.
NDTV reports that the Health department officials are tracking everyone Dushyant Singh met after attending the party with Kanika Kapoor. However, he hasn’t yet been tested for coronavirus. Doctors said they are waiting for symptoms to show.
A police complaint has been filed against singer Kanika Kapoor for “negligence and disobedience”.
Coronavirus cases in India have risen to 271, as of now.
People might fail to realise how fatal this situation can get. The presence of one coronavirus positive person has endangered the lives of hundreds along with their families. All we can do now is hope and pray that the attendees of the parties and parliamentary sessions take self-quarantine seriously.