New Delhi: In the latest instance of politicians spreading misinformation and pseudoscience about the coronavirus, BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur on July 25 said reciting the Hanuman Chalisa five times a day until August 5 will “rid the world of the coronavirus pandemic”.“Let us all of us together make a spiritual effort to wish people good health and end the coronavirus epidemic. Recite ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ five times a day at your home from July 25 to August 5,” the Bhopal MP tweeted.The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya will take place on August 5, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending.“Conclude this ritual by lighting lamps on August 5 and offering ‘aarti’ to Lord Ram at home,” Thakur added.She also shared a video on Twitter, in which she said the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh is making efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus by imposing lockdown in Bhopal till August 4.“Though the lockdown will be over on August 4, this ritual (recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman) will end on August 5, when ‘bhoomi pujan’ for Ram temple in Ayodhya will be performed. We will celebrate that day like Diwali,” she added.“When people… Hindus from across the country recite the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ in one voice, it will definitely work and we will be free from coronavirus…This is your prayer to Lord Ram,” said Thakur.Also Read: Face It: The Indian Government Is Peddling PseudoscienceThis is not the first instance that a BJP leader has given false information to end the pandemic. In March, the Kolkata police arrested a BJP activist who organised a ‘cow urine consumption event’, claiming that it will protect people from the coronavirus or cure those already infected.(With PTI inputs)
