Protocol: Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress, has received a letter from the Union Health Minister requesting that he follow the Covid “protocol” on his “Bharat Jodo Yatra” or risk having it suspended “in the national interest.”

Given that India has relaxed rules like the mask requirement during the last year, the Congress has asked what the procedure is, branding it as the “BJP’s customary strategy for distraction.”

In a letter to Rahul Gandhi, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya requested that “Covid procedures, including usage of masks and sanitizers during the march, be rigorously observed and only those who are vaccinated be permitted to participate.”

“If this Covid protocol cannot be followed, then, in light of the public health emergency, and to rescue the nation from the Covid pandemic, I implore you to halt the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in the national interest,” the letter continues.

The letter, which is dated December 20 and mentions that the yatra occurred in Rajasthan, states that three BJP MPs from the state wrote to the minister “to express concern.”

The yatra entered Haryana on Wednesday.

In response, PM Narendra Modi’s recent election campaign in Gujarat and the BJP’s continuing yatras in two states were both mentioned by the Congress. “The BJP is organising yatras in Rajasthan and Karnataka. Have they received a letter from the health minister?” stated Pawan Khera, a spokesman for the Congress.

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“Please declare Covid protocol; we will adhere to them.”

Minister Mansukh Mandaviya before a Covid meeting on Wednesday in New Delhi.

Today, the Health Ministry held a conference to discuss the possibility of reinstating some standards after a rise in China’s cases alarmed people all over the world.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, tested positive for coronavirus following his participation in the yatra, according to the three Rajasthani MPs whose letter the minister alluded to.

The BJP is “reacting in terror,” according to Congressman Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

He questioned, “Was Modi ji wearing a mask when he went door to door to solicit votes in Gujarat?”

The BJP’s propaganda campaign through godi (pliant) media has suffered, he claimed, as a result of the yatra.

“Rahul Gandhi is now prominently featured on social media. The yatra is getting a lot of attention and is having a significant impact. Because of this, the Modi administration has sent (Mansukh) Mandaviya to attempt and discredit the yatra by whatever means necessary “.