The district magistrate and superintendent of police of Pilibhit are likely to face the axe after a video showing the two leading a procession blowing conches and ringing bells as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call on Sunday, went viral on Sunday evening.
The officers forgot that the prime minister had urged people to clap, ring bell, blow conches from balcony or premises of their respective houses, keeping themselves self-quarantined.
After the controversy erupted, Member of Parliament from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi, posted a tweet demanding action against the two officers.
“While many people, including myself, are on self-quarantine and India battles Covid-19 on a war footing, the conduct of the DM and SP of Pilibhit is callous and irresponsible. Times like these need mature conduct like the PM advised. I urge action against those who violated the Janata Curfew,” tweeted Varun Gandhi, reacting to the viral video.
Sources said that the government had sought a detailed report and action was likely to be initiated against the two officers.
On Sunday evening, while people across India clapped, rang bells and blew conch shells in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for thanking those at the forefront of fight against the coronavirus, Pilibhit’s DM Vaibhav Srivastava and SP Abhisekh Dikshit instead of ensuring compliance of Janata Curfew led a procession of local people who were seen clapping and blowing conch shells, on Sunday evening.