COVID-19: BJP to not protest for a month; Shaheen Bhagh agitators urged to vacate

In the wake of COVID-19, the BJP, on Wednesday (March 18), decided not to hold any protest or demonstration for a month. And in a related but apparently unconnected development, police officials urged the anti-Citizenship amendment act (CAA) protestors to vacate Shaheen Bagh, which has been the nerve centre of demonstrations in the national capital.

BJP party president JP Nadda in a statement said, “PM, yesterday in the Parliamentary party meeting, had desired that because of coronavirus we should avoid any type of agitation, dharna, and demonstration. Keeping that in view, the BJP has decided that for the next one month the party won’t participate in any agitation, demonstration.”

The statement came a day after PM Modi in a parliamentary party meeting of the BJP asked MPs to spread awareness among the people in small groups about coronavirus and suggested that they should refrain from launching any mass agitation till April 15.

Nadda said that four to five office bearers of the party will submit memorandums to authorities concerned whenever necessary to avoid “conglomeration of people”.

All state units have been told about the decision and a circular too has been issued, Nadda added.

But even as the Prime Minister called upon the party MPs to spread awareness about the virus, he also made it clear that the ongoing parliament session will not be curtailed.

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In his address at the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi heaped praise on doctors and other medical staff besides airline crews and others involved in tackling the coronavirus crisis, saying they have worked positively and tirelessly. Modi also lauded the media for spreading awareness on the virus.

This move by the ruling party is likely to have an impact on other parties as well as they too would want to be seen being in line with the public opinion.

The Delhi government on Tuesday announced that any gathering – religious, family, social, political or cultural – of more than 50 people will not be allowed in the national capital till March 31 amid coronavirus scare.

(With inputs from agencies.)