There is currently a strong call in India for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to his failed response to the Covid-19 pandemic which has resulted in an unprecendented spread of the virus in the country in the past month. Last May 6, the country recorded a total of 21 million cases of infections and 230,151 deaths related to Covid-19. At least 412,618 of these cases were recorded on May 5 alone.

India is now considered the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic after surpassing the number of in­fec­tions in the US. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 28% of the new cases of Covid-19 in the whole world is in India.

The surge in cases is primarily attributed to “super-spreader event” or big political and religious gatherings which were allowed by the Modi regime in the past few months. This includes electoral rallies and religious gatherings which were participated in by millions of individuals and wherein health protocols were not strictly enforced.

Shortages in health facilties and medical equipment in India have also worsened, especially that of oxygen tanks. Many die in queues outside hospitals without receiving treatment.

There is also widespread concern across the world over the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19 called B.1.617.2 which was first detected in India and is referred to as a “double mutant.” It is believed that this is more contagious. Studies are still being conducted to determine whether available vaccines are effective against this.