New Delhi: After six states reported COVID-19 positive cases that can be directly traced to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, Nizamuddin Markaz on Tuesday issued a detailed clarification stating that they didn't violate the government's lockdown order, a source said.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, "Around 1,034 people have been shifted to 334 hospitals and 700 quarantine centres across different parts of Delhi. So far 24 people have been found positive who were putting up in the Makaz building."
"When Hon'ble Prime Minister announced the Janta curfew to be observed on 22nd March 2020, the ongoing program in the centre was discontinued immediately. However, due to sudden cancellation of railways across the country on 21st March 2020, a large group of visitors got stuck in the premises," said Markaz Nizamuddin.
The clarification further sated that Janata curfew was observed and visitors were advised not to venture out, on the other hand, Delhi announced a week-long lockdown, thereby diminishing the chances of visitors' journey back home.
"Under PM Modi's order of complete lockdown Markaz Nizamuddin was left with no option but to accommodate the stranded visitors with prescribed medical precautions," said Markaz Nizamuddin.
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According to sources, a religious program was organised at Alami Markaz Banglewali Masjid in Nizamuddin in the month of March, around 1000 people from various states had come to attend the religious function.
Reportedly, the Markaz had around 300 foreign visitors from Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan and few other gulf countries. As per the official records, nine Indians who also attended the congregation, six from Telangana and one each from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and J&K succumbed to COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Union Home Ministry sources have told ETV Bharat that government may cancel visas of all religious preachers who come to India as tourists.
A team of South municipal corporation of Delhi was called to sanitize the entire area of Markaz building, Nizamuddin after which the area was cordoned off.
According to the Islamic scholars, Markaz Nizamuddin is the international headquarters of Tablighi Jamaat for nearly 100 years now.