Yogi Adityanath Sets A Great Example On Following Lockdown, Won't Attend His Father's Funeral

At a time when people are using trivial excuses to break the lockdown norms and venture outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set a great example. At a time of grief and sorrow in this family, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has decided not to attend the funeral of his father Anand Bisht who died on Monday.

Bisht will be cremated in Haridwar at a funeral which will not be attended by the CM. Bisht, 89, was admitted to the gastroenterology department of the AIIMS after his health deteriorated. His condition was critical.

BCCL/ FILE

In a statement, the chief minister said, "I had the ardent wish to get a glimpse of him at the final moment. However, following a sense of duty towards the state's 23 crore people during the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not do so." "For the success of the lockdown and the strategy to defeat the novel coronavirus pandemic, I will be unable to attend the last rites on April 21," Adityanath said.

"I am deeply saddened by the demise of my respected father. He instilled in me the values of honesty, hard work and selfless service for public welfare in childhood itself," he said.

BCCL/FILE

Even as the news of his father's demise reached, Adityanath continued with a meeting with officials, whom he directed to ensure that the students of Uttar Pradesh who have returned from coaching hub Kota are quarantined at their homes.

Adityanath appealed to his mother and acquaintances to follow lockdown norms and said a small number of people should attend his father's last rites. "I offer salutations to the numerous memories of father and offer heartfelt condolences. Will visit after the lockdown is over," he said in the statement.

BCCL

Director for Information Shishir told PTI that a meeting of officials of the core group on COVID-19 was going on since 10 am. It was during this meeting that the chief minister got the information that his father has passed away, he said. "Despite getting the sad news, he continued with the meeting and got up only after giving necessary directions to the officials. Even after getting the news of the demise of his father, the chief minister went ahead with the meeting for almost 45 minutes," Shishir said.

Uttar Pradesh has so far recorded 1,100 COVID-19 cases.