In a first, Badi masjid turns into quarantine facility
Most of the patients had attended religious meeting of Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in Delhi
In a strange development, at least 25 Tablighi Jamaat members who tested negative for coronavirus after undergoing swab tests at Gandhi Hospital were shifted to the Badi masjid in Mallepally, where they are expected to remain in isolation for 14 days. Besides the men, three children and women who were along with them have been moved to an empty building adjacent to the masjid.
It is not known whether the Tablighi Jamaat members themselves requested that they be shifted to the mosque or whether the state administration decided to leave them there, at a time when social distancing is the norm.
Most of them had attended the religious meeting at the Tablighi Jamaat's headquarters in Nizamuddin, Delhi, which has turned into a coronavirus hotspot.
Top sources told Deccan Chronicle that more than 30 of them were discharged from the Gandhi Hospital on Friday afternoon. However, concerns were raised by the doctors who advised them quarantine as they could develop symptoms at a later stage.
“Some officials in the administration were of the view that allowing them to go back to their houses could mean that they could spread the virus at a later stage,” sources said adding that it was unclear whether a choice was given to them in the form of Badi masjid. All mosques have been closed for the public since the lockdown began.
By evening, they were were made to board an airconditioned RTC bus belonging to the Ranigunj depot at Gandhi Hospital and driven to the Badi masjid, which is also known as the Tablighi Jamaat mosque.
What is intriguing is who chose the venue. While sources at the Gandhi Hospital said they were unaware as to who finalised the venue, officials in Hyderabad collectorate said they were not aware of the development.
Contacted by Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad collector Sweta Mohanty said she was not aware of the decision and said the doctors at the hospital would
IT IS not known whether the Tablighi Jamaat members themselves requested that they be shifted to the mosque or whether the state administration decided to leave them there, at a time when social distancing is the norm.
be in better position to provide the details. But Gandhi Hospital sources maintained that they have no say where patients go once they leave the hospital, except that they may advise quarantine. Policemen from Habeebnagar, whose jurisdiction covers the Badi masjid, confirmed that 30 people had been dropped at the mosque on Friday evening.
“We are not aware why and at whose behest they were shifted to mosque. It is indeed strange that at this critical time so many people will be confined in a mosque and there is no one to check on them. We will not go inside and our information is that no doctors or medical staff is going to visit them. They are on their own now,” a police official said.
The official confirmed that women have been moved to a building right next to the mosque as they cannot be allowed inside the place of worship. The mosque is spacious and there is a separate hall as well.
“The mosque premises is spacious and there is a separate hall. But we are not aware whether the Tablighi members requested for it or the administration moved them here,” the official said.