Himanta defends his “No need to wear mask, Corona has gone” comment

April 4: Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hit back at those who criticised him for saying that “people of the state need not wear mask as COVID-19 is no more in the state”. Taking to his twitter handle on Sunday, he wrote, “Those who are making fun on my statement on mask, must come to Assam and see how we have contained COVID-19 in compare to the states like Delhi, Kerala, and Maharashtra along with impressive recovery of our economy.We will celebrate Bihu also with the same enthusiasm this year.”

A must watch interview to understand the man and politician @himantabiswa by @saurabhtop for @TheLallantop https://t.co/4ebOZIoy80 #HimantaBiswaSarma #AssamAssemblyPolls

— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) April 4, 2021

Speaking in an interview to The Lallantop, Himanta Biswa Sarma wondered why people should wear mask and “create panic” when Covid-19 has already left Assam. “We will celebrate Bihu also with the same enthusiasm this year,” he added. Sarma said that he has told the public that this is interim relief. If cases surge then they will need to wear masks again or they will be fined Rs 500. He said that people have been saying that there will be a rise in coronavirus cases after the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) elections but nothing happened, they are saying the same for Assam elections but nothing will happen.

Those who are making fun on my statement on mask, must come to Assam and see how we have contained COVID-19 in compare to the states like Delhi, Kerala, and Maharashtra along with impressive recovery of our economy.We will celebrate Bihu also with the same enthusiasm this year

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 4, 2021

“Mask ki zaroorat nahin hai. Nahin hai toh nahin hai ab mai kya karun? (mask is not need. If it is not needed then it is not needed, what do I do?)” he said in an interview with The Lallantop. When reminded that the central government has been constantly reiterating the importance of mask-wearing, Sarma said, “Central government must order people but in the context of Assam, there is no COVID-19 currently. When pointedly asked if wearing masks is not required, Sarma said, “Why create unnecessary panic? When there will be coronavirus, I will tell the public to wear masks. We need to revive the economy now. If you wear masks, how will parlours run? Beauty parlours also need to run.”

His comment comes at a time when India is reeling under a second wave of Covid-19 and cases and deaths have started piling up again. On Saturday, India reported close to 90,000 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day count in nearly six months.