Mumbai: In late July, a video of Arjun Ram Meghwal, a junior Union minister for heavy industries and parliamentary affairs and BJP’s member of parliament from Bikaner, had gone viral on social media for claiming a brand of papad had a cure for coronavirus.
In the viral video, he claimed that ‘Bhabhiji Papad’ contained ingredients that helped develop antibodies against the virus. Two weeks after making this ludicrous claim, the minister has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
According to PTI, Meghwal tested positive on Saturday and has been admitted to AIIMS in New Delhi. The minister has told PTI that his health is stable.
“After developing symptoms of COVID-19 I had undergone testing and was found positive in the second report. On the advice of doctors, I got admitted to AIIMS and I request all those who came in contact with me to take care of their health,” he told the news agency.
Also read: How True Is Modi’s Claim That His Decisions Saved India From the Worst of COVID-19?
At a time when the government has been appealing citizens to not fall for any misinformation, Meghwal had put out a baseless and an unscientific video asking people to purchase ‘Bhabhiji papad’ that was mass-produced under the Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda of the government. “Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat, a manufacturer has produced papad with the name ‘Bhabhiji papad’ and it will be very helpful in fighting coronavirus. My best wishes to them and I hope they will succeed,” he could be seen saying this in the video.
At a time when India’s infection rate has spiked with cases crossing the 20 lakh mark, such claims, that too coming from a minister, are not just baseless but also dangerous. Many people took to social media to slam the minister down. Some even sought legal action against Meghwal.
