Ram Janmabhoomi Nirman Nyas VP fined ₹200 for no face mask

BHOPAL/ SAGAR: Ram Janmabhoomi Nirman Nyas vice president Swami Atmanand Saraswati was fined Rs 200 for not wearing mask in Damoh district on Wednesday evening said a revenue department officer.

The matter came to light on Thursday when a video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, Swami Atmanand Saraswati was seen arguing with an officer of revenue department and sub-inspector of Pathariya for not wearing mask. In the video, Swami was seen saying that he was following the request made by Prime Minister of keeping ourselves safe and secure. “I feel suffocated in the mask so to keep myself safe I didn’t wear mask,” as seen in the video. He also threatened the officers of sending a copy of challan to Prime Minister and chief minister.

Pathariya block revenue officer, Alok Jain said, “Swami was travelling in a white SUV on Wednesday evening. We stopped him during regular checking and requested him and the driver of his SUV to use mask. Swami started arguing with us. Later, the driver agreed to use mask but Swami was adamant on not wearing mask. We imposed a fine of Rs 100 on Swami and Rs 100 on his driver.”