Don't communalise spread of coronavirus: CPI

CPI on Wednesday appealed to people of country t to communalise spread of coronavirus, referring to Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Delhi's Nizamuddin which has w been identified as a hotspot for contagion. Six people who died in Telangana and one in Jammu and Kashmir attended congregation. In Delhi alone, 24 participants tested positive for disease. By Wednesday morning, a total of 2,346 persons were evacuated from centre, of whom 536 were hospitalised, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

" CPI tes with pain that some interested quarters are trying to target one community for spread of COVID-19 from religious congregation that took place at Nizamuddin in national capital. Coronavirus does t infect people looking at ir community and caste," a statement from party said.

" party appeals to one and all to desist from any communal divide as it will weaken united fight against COVID-19. party also appeals to all its members to ensure safety of all citizens from such heius divisive moves and also appealing to everyone to cooperate by volunteering for tests," it added.

It also said that mass testing of citizens free of cost assumes greater importance as more and more hotspots are getting identified.

"Blame game and targeted moves at this juncture will have only negative impact and contagion cant be contained with such acts. If anybody has to be found fault with, it is government which delayed in taking proper timely actions," it said.

After matter came to light, Centre and state government swung into action to trace people who had attended congregation, it added.