COVID-19: Govt seeks deportation of foreign Markaz attendees if found negative for COVID

government on Wednesday issued an order immediately deporting all foreigners who were a part of Tabligh Jamaat, if y are tested negative for Coronavirus. According to sources, government has also ordered all states and union territories to carry out a thorough screening of foreign Jamaat workers. 

According to an advisory issued by government, foreign teams of Jamaat are on a tour to hinterland of India, becoming potential carries of virus. It stated that Jamaat activists from India had attended a religious event from February 27 to March 1 in Malaysia. Furr, currently, re are around 2,000 foreigners on tourist visas from over 70 countries spread all over country for Tabligh work.

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Nizamuddin Case

A religious program was organized at Tablighi Jamaat's headquarters Markaz Nizamuddin mosque between 13-15 March which was attended by over three thousand people, from India and abroad, who since dispersed. After attending meeting, which took place prior to nationwide lockdown but after Delhi government's own directive against such garings, many of attendees returned to or parts of country, with spread of COVID-19 virus w being confirmed from numerous states as a result.

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A case was registered by Delhi Police against Maulana Saad and or officials of Tablighi Jamaat for violating restriction pertaining to a religious garing. Sections under Epidemic Disease Act,1897 and Section 269, 270, 271 and 120-B of Indian Penal Code have been invoked. In FIR, it has been stated that congregation failed to take safety measures for prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In an alleged audiotape of Markaz accessed by Republic, a preacher is telling people that Coronavirus is a conspiracy to disrupt ir way of life, going on to make statements against science and general guidelines of public health at a time like this.

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