With the total number of coronavirus cases in India crossing 150 on Wednesday, social distancing is being encouraged. Many states have shut down public places such as theatres, malls, gyms and swimming pools, and people are being encouraged to work from home and travel only if necessary.
On Wednesday afternoon, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi took to Twitter to urge the Parliament to adjourn the Budget Session amid the escalating threat from the virus.
While the Parliament began screening people using thermal scanners on Wednesday, Tharoor had argued that this may not be enough, stating that during the Session, parliamentarians sit “cheek-by-jowl on narrow benches” — a far cry from the social distancing measures being advocated by the government
Ironically, the Congress MP soon found himself facing flak for the exact same reason.
To provide a bit of context, Tharoor had re-shared a photo posted on Twitter on the same day by President Ram Nath Kovind where the latter had organised a breakfast get together for South Indian MPs. The leaders from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana had been hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 17.
A similar event was held today, this time with Members of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan partaking of breakfast at his residence.
President Kovind @rashtrapatibhvn hosted South Indian MPs yesterday for breakfast as part of his series of annual breakfasts for all parliamentarians. A very pleasant occasion in the magnificent surroundings of the Presidential Palace. pic.twitter.com/hfTY84I86g
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 18, 2020
Following the posts, both the President and the Thiruvananthapuram MP came under criticism from netizens.
“Not even the MPs can resist the lure of free food. Never mind the directives about social distancing,” wrote one user.
“No Problem with this gathering sir?” asked another user attaching a screenshot of Tharoor’s tweet on the Parliament.
“@rashtrapatibhvn u need to send the right signals, it is not business as usual, a virtual meeting would have been a great example,” wrote a third.
Take a look at some of the responses.
Not even the MPs can resist the lure of free food. Never mind the directives about social distancing https://t.co/5GWbkZJ6bC
— Shayonee (@Shayoneespeaks) March 18, 2020
Do YOU WANT to make things worse? Or are you ALL gonna quarantine within the rashtrapati bhavan? It’s big enough. #notocorona definitely not being practiced here! https://t.co/glPmw44dOP
— Ambika Vishwanath (@theidlethinker) March 18, 2020
Perfect time for this. ♀️ https://t.co/EHOqkWkM9O
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) March 18, 2020
Social distance his Excellency https://t.co/otpHxvvA4k
— मुकुंद முகுந்த் ਮੁਕੁੰਦ (@mukundkautilya) March 17, 2020
They are violating your order of ‘no assembly for more than 50’ @ArvindKejriwal https://t.co/ozI8pjHKUj
— Restless Lion (@restlesslion999) March 18, 2020
WTF? Clearly these super species not prone to #COVID2019 https://t.co/2NuZlcoH1o
— Sonny Khurana (@SonnyKhurana) March 18, 2020
@ShashiTharoor please explain your hypocrisy sir !
— मृत्युञ्जय नीलमणि मिश्र Mrityunjay Neelmani (@Proper_Atheist) March 18, 2020
Why are you still doing these mass meetings? Please set an example ! https://t.co/0MUuxj0C90
— Priya Kapoor (@PiyuK) March 18, 2020
Facepalm moment. Considering the avg age of all politicians.. they are the most vulnerable. #coronavirus #DontPanicBeCautious https://t.co/FIuWfgGw1f
— Rochit (@rochit) March 18, 2020
We will contain COVID-19 by social distancing. https://t.co/yrn45lfMbq
— Sandeep Manudhane (@sandeep_PT) March 18, 2020
When Screening does not equal testing, the most appreciated MP’S are doing this for a breakfast!
Common man will take absolute note of this #SocialDistancing measures hosted by the President of India?#NicePicWrongTimes https://t.co/wqBUAtubtN— Arvind Ramachander (@arvindia4u) March 18, 2020