Atimely action by the Delhi Police, the Delhi government and the Centre could have prevented thousands associated with the Tablighi Jamaat from spreading coronavirus in the country who are now being hunted by various state law enforcement agencies.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on March 21, informed the state governments about 824 foreign nationals who visited Markaz Nizamuddin in Delhi and then in several states for preaching tours or ‘Chilla’ but the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police took no effort to stop the entry of any person or vacate the premises.
Foreign nationals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan, visited Markaz Nizamuddin for Tablighi activities and stayed at Banglewali Mosque at Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. Later, they travelled to different parts of the country for ‘Chilla’ activities.
On March 21, according to the home ministry, about 1,746 persons were staying at Hazrat
Nizamuddin Markaz. Out of the 1,746, 216 were foreigners and 1,530 Indians.
About 824 foreigners were, as on March 21, doing preaching activities in various parts of the country. Also, a large number of Indian Tablighi Jamaat workers were also engaged in ‘Chilla’ activities in different parts of the country.
The home ministry has claimed that details of these 824 foreigners was shared on March 21 with the Delhi Police for identifying them, getting them medically screened and quarantining them. However, a case against Maulana Saad and others of Tablighi Jamaat by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police was lodged only after 10 days.
The case has been filed under Section 3 of Epidemic Disease Act and Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for violating the government directions given to the management of Markaz of Basti Nizamuddin regarding restriction of social, political, religious gathering and for taking safety measures, including social distancing for prevention and treatment of the Covid-19 viral infection.
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