Spokesperson: Prof. Gourav Vallabh: The mismanagement of the COVID pandemic by the BJP government is not hidden from anyone. The apathetic attitude has been evident all along. The nation saw people gasping for oxygen during the second wave. The world saw the Modi management style when thousands of bodies were floating in Maa Ganga. India was shamed at the world stage when pictures of the bodies floating were circulated in the International Media. In short, while the Modi government has been chest thumping for its COVID management, the reality is far harsher than what the government wants us to believe.

A big expose by the WHO has exposed the death tolls in India due to COVID between January 01, 2020, and December 31, 2021. As per Government data, there has been only 5.24 Lakh deaths due to COVID-19 in India so far. Few key points highlighted by the WHO report are as follows:

1. The world saw 1.49 Crore excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
2. One in three deaths in the world due to COVID happened in India.
3. India had 47 Lakhs death due to COVID-19 between January 2020 and December 2021.
4. Amongst the nations with highest ratio of excess deaths in 2020 & 2021 as compared to official reported COVID-19 deaths, India is ranked second with a ratio of 9.9x, behind Egypt (11.6x) and ahead of Pakistan (8x).
5. Almost half of the deaths that until now had not been counted globally were in India. Here is a comparison of the data (January 2020 to December 2021) between what the BJP government has been trying to tell the nation and the actual realities: GOI Data Lancet Study WHO Data 4.81 Lakhs 40.7 Lakhs 47 Lakhs Ratio 8.5x 9.9x

Lancet Study, WHO Study regarding the excess deaths data due to COVID-19, are in resonance with what a leading Hindi daily had published for one of the states. The world saw pictures of bodies floating in the pious Maa Ganga. There have been recurring reports of concern over Modi government’s management and data. Even if we keep the numbers aside, the government in its Civil Registration System Report has accepted that 45% of people who died in 2020 didn’t get any medical attention at the time of the death. All facts are stacked against the government. They can’t simply refute the claims of expert panels without providing any empirical data or logic. The government must accept its mismanagement of the pandemic and

We have very specific questions for the Modi Government: 1. When the BJP claims of putting India on the world stage, is this the way we Indians want to see our country being mentioned on the world stage? 2. When a leading national daily reported numbers regarding excess deaths in Madhya Pradesh due to COVID-19, its offices were raided by the national agencies. When will the agencies raid WHO now? 3. Is the government’s underreporting of COVID deaths data a way to escape paying the COVID compensation to the families of the deceased? We have two following demands for the Government: 1. Heeding to our demand for the last 2 years, the Government must immediately form a COVID commission with members from all parties to analyze the deaths that happened due to unavailability of Oxygen, broken supply chain in case of vaccines and medicines and plan for better management during such pandemics. 2. The government must immediately pay Rs. 4 Lakhs to the families of the people who have died due to COVID. If it can’t provide medical care and facilities, this is the least the Modi government can do to pay respects. Friday, May 6, 2022