'PM said it's individual's decision': Karnataka minister refuses to wear mask, violates Covid norm
Amid the third wave of Covid-19 in India, Karnataka minister Umesh Katti has refused to wear a face mask. He claimed, "The prime minister said it's the individual's decision".
Not following Covid-19 protocol is starting to seem like a habit among political leaders in Karnataka. In the latest episode, Karnataka minister Umesh Katti refused to wear a face mask.
When asked about it, he claimed, "The prime minister has said there is no restriction or self-responsibility with regard to wearing a mask. It is an individual decision to wear a mask or not, he said. I feel I don't have to wear it so I haven't. No problem."
Umesh Katti is a BJP leader and the current Minister of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Forest in Karnataka.
His remarks come during the third wave of Covid-19 in India when several states have put in place restrictions to tackle the spread of the virus. Additionally, people are being fined across cities for not wearing masks.
CONGRESS LEADER REFUSES TO GET TESTED
Earlier, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar was in the limelight when he refused to get tested for Covid-19 after seeming unwell on the first day of the Congress' Mekedatu march, which has been suspended for the time-being on account of the third wave of the pandemic.
"If the health minister wants, let him go give his sample. You think I'm someone who came out of the airport ? I know the law. You file a case against me if you want but I won't give my sample," he had said.
A total of four leaders tested positive after attending the Mekedatu march.
COVID IN KARNATAKA
On Monday, Karnataka reported 27,156 fresh Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths in 24 hours. There are 2,17,297 active cases in the state currently.
The case positivity rate has dropped to 12.45 per cent and the case fatality rate stands at 0.05 per cent.
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