Uttarakhand minister hangs face mask on foot, photo goes viral

PTI, Jul 15, 2021, 6:08 PM IST

An image of Uttarakhand minister Swami Yatishwaranand hanging his face mask on the thumb of his foot has gone viral on social media.

Interestingly none of the leaders were wearing masks during the indoor meeting.

Sharing the image on social media Qazi Nizamuddin, Congress MLA from Haridwar stated “The photograph showing cabinet minister Swami Yatishwaranand hanging his mask on foot just shows that he and his government put Covid-19 guidelines… under their feet.”

Several other opposition leaders too criticised Swami Yatishwaranand for his ‘irresponsible’ act and not following Covid appropriate behaviour.

Congress state spokesperson Garima Dasauni asked: “When lakhs of people lost their lives to Covid-19 pandemic in the country, what sort of message Swami Yatishwaranand, who is a cabinet minister in Uttarakhand government, is delivering to the people by putting his mask on [his] foot?”

Further he added that it is futile for government to expect people to follow guidelines if those in responsible positions are flouting them.

Expressed displeasure over the failure of the ruling BJP in the containment of COVID during the second wave, Amarjit Singh Rawat state spokesperson of Aam Aadmi Party said, “It just shows how much the BJP leaders care about the Covid-19 guidelines when many died in the second wave due to the inadequate arrangements made by their government at the Centre. Swami Yatishwaranand should apologise for his behaviour to the public for his despicable act.”