Recite Hanuman Chalisa 5-times till Aug 5 to get rid of Covid: Pragya

Bhopal: BJP Lok Sabha member from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur has appealed to the people to recite `Hanuman Chalisa' (a hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman) five times a day till August 5, which she believes will rid the world of the coronavirus pandemic. The `bhoomi pujan' or the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya is to take place on August 5 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress said Pragya should help the poor during Covid crisis instead of taking political benefit of the Ram Temple issue.

"Let 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. Conclude this ritual by lighting lamps on August 5 and offering ‘aarti’ to Lord Ram at home. We will be free from coronavirus," tweeted Thakur.

The BJP leader also posted a video on the social media site 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) will end on August 5, when ‘bhoomi pujan’ for Ram temple in Ayodhya will be performed. We will celebrate that day like Diwali,” she said, adding, "When 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."

As the world awaits a cure for Covid-19 and people seek respite from the ten-day lockdown, Thakur's idea has sparked verbal spat between the Congress and the ruling BJP. Former Congress minister PC Sharma said that after remaining absent from the scene for the last four months, Pragya Singh Thakur is trying to take political benefit of the situation.

"Where was the so-called Sadhvi for the last four months when people were in distress and seeking relief. Instead of preaching to people about Hanuman Chalisa, as we all recite the same everyday, Pragya should help the poor get 35 kg of ration during the Covid-19 crisis," Sharma reacted sharply.

Earlier last week, Madhya Pradesh assembly pro tem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma had claimed that building the Ram temple will get rid of the contagion.