AAP's Sanjay Singh slams Centre over foreigners at Markaz, alleges 'they weren't screened'

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday raised questions on how foreign nationals were allowed to attend  religious congregation at Markaz Nizamuddin without getting screened for vel coronavirus or quarantined. He alleged that this constituted “gross negligence” on part of  Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi Police. Moreover, he cried foul over directives issued by Delhi government on March 13, 16, 19 and 21 being igred.  

Read: Adityanath Cuts Short Visit To COVID-affected Districts, To Hold Meeting On Nizamuddin Fallout

religious congregation at Markaz Nizamuddin

A controversy erupted when a religious congregation was held at Markaz Nizamuddin, Tablighi Jamaat international headquarters in mid-March defying social distancing rms. As per Delhi government, this was in violation of prevailing orders, which prohibited large garings. Earlier in day, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain confirmed that 24 people who were at  Tablighi Jamaat congregation tested positive for vel coronavirus. 

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal directed an FIR to be registered against  organizers of  religious congregation. However, Markaz claimed that it had t flouted rules and discontinued religious function after anuncement of nationwide lockdown. Instead, it alleged that many of attendees were stuck due to unavailability of transport services. 

Read: Timeline Of How Nizamuddin Markaz Led To Becoming Delhi's Potential COVID-19 Hotspot

MHA issues clarification

According to Ministry of Home Affairs, 1746 individuals including 216 foreigners were staying in Markaz building as of March 21. After MHA's advisory on March 28, police personnel in different states identified 2,137 persons associated with Tablighi Jamaat in order to screen m for vel coronavirus and quarantine m. Meanwhile, MHA revealed that 1203 Tablighi Jamaat workers in Markaz Nizamuddin have been medically screened since March 26 out of which 303 symptomatic patients have been referred to different hospitals. On or hand, remaining people have been sent to quarantine centres in Narela, Bakkarwala and Sultanpuri. 

Read: 'Telangana Still Enumerating Nizamuddin Attendees' Says Minister KTR As 300 Hospitalised

Read: COVID-19: MHA Reveals '2137 Markaz Attendees Quarantined Across India'; 1746 In Nizamuddin