The controversial decision to hold the Kumbh Mela amid the second wave of Coronavirus in the country has met with divided opinions, even among the country's sportsmen.
The controversial decision to hold the Kumbh Mela amid the second wave of Coronavirus in the country has met with divided opinions, even among the country's sportsmen.
One such sparring played out on micro-blogging site Twitter between Olympic medal winners Yogeshwar Dutt and Abhinav Bindra.
Three days ago, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt took to Twitter to say that people should stop defaming "the peaceful devotees" at Kumbh.
"No one in the Kumbh Mela is reaching there illegally. People are following all protocols. No one is spitting at the security and medical staff. No one is running away after hiding from the administration," he posted.
On Saturday, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra responded, asking: "Should the Kumbh Mela even be held while an infectious pandemic lays waste to India? A virus does not discriminate between religions."
He also accused Yogeshwar of failing the entire sports community with his views.
Bindra said, "Athletes are known to keep their eye on the ball. Their focus unwavering and to not get distracted by what is most important at this time -- saving lives, finding a cure that can work and showing compassion and empathy for those who are losing loved ones. You are failing the entire sports community with this."
The comments come on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the seers that the ongoing Kumbh Mela should now only be symbolic amid the second wave of Covid-19 cases in the country.