New York Times article on India's Covid-19 response 'provocative', 'attention-seeking': Health Ministry

The article published in New York Times had claimed that the 'ICMR tailored its findings to fit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's optimistic narrative despite a looming crisis'

Addressing a media briefing on the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Balram Bhargava, on Thursday termed the recent New York Times article on India's Covid-19 response as "provocative" and "attention-seeking".

The article published in New York Times had claimed that the "ICMR tailored its findings to fit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's optimistic narrative despite a looming crisis".

Responding to a question, Bhargava said, "This is a provocative and attention-seeking article published at a time when India is doing good and our vaccination drive is also excellent. It is aimed at diverting attention. All the issues raised are dead ones and probably do not merit any attention."

Also Read: Covid-19 vaccine protection wane over time, boosters important: Pfizer, Moderna

"We greatly value journalistic and editorial freedom. But at the same time we must also realise that all of us, including the Union government and the state governments, are fully engaged in fighting the pandemic and all our energy and time is devoted to that," said Union Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan.

"We cannot afford to get diverted by things that can be addressed at a later date, or which are not a priority from the public health point of view," Bhushan added.

Condemning the article, NITI Aayog Member (Health), V.K. Paul, said, "We condemn such distorted and out of context reporting. This is not desirable."

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!