PM Narendra Modi: According to representatives of the health ministry, the Model Code of Conduct caused PM Modi’s picture to be removed from the vaccination certificate.
The Union Health Ministry has made a significant alteration to the CoWIN certificates for Covid-19 vaccinations. Previously, these certificates prominently displayed an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with a quote affirming India’s collective resolve to conquer coronavirus. As per The Hindu’s report, while the quote “Together, India will defeat COVID-19” continues to be credited to the Prime Minister, his name has been excluded from the certificates.
Discussions over Covishield’s possible link to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), an uncommon side effect involving blood clotting, have revived in the wake of vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca’s admission in a UK court. Several people in India have looked over their vaccination certificates in light of this news. -PM Narendra Modi
Some users of the microblogging network X (previously Twitter) observed a big change: the disappearance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s picture on COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued in India. X user Sandeep Manudhane stated, “Modi ji is no longer available on COVID Vaccine certifications. I just downloaded to check, and indeed, his picture is gone.”
Another person, Irfan Ali, who identified himself as a Congress official, wrote, “Yes, I just checked and PM Modi’s photo has disappeared and there is only a QR code instead of his photo.”
However, representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed ThePrint on Tuesday that the picture was taken out of the vaccination certificate because the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are governed by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
It’s important to remember that Modi’s picture has previously been taken off of COVID-19 immunization certificates.
In 2022, vaccination certificates issued in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa were similarly devoid of Modi’s photograph. The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered this measure in anticipation of the state assembly elections.
A dispute that began in 2021 about the use of Modi’s image on vaccination certificates reached the Kerala High Court. “They may not be proud of their PMs, but we are proud of our PM,” Justice PV Kunhikrishnan had said in response to the argument that certificates produced in other nations did not include the images of elected officials.
Covishield: Gujarat Cong Seeks Compensation
The opposition Congress has demanded compensation for the relatives of people who died from heart attacks or other similar causes after receiving the Covishield vaccine against coronavirus. The Congress has accused the BJP government at the Center of failing to follow the guidelines set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO). BJP-affiliated doctors in Gujarat, however, said that a state-conducted expert panel’s investigation had proven there was no connection between COVID-19 vaccinations and blood clotting, which can result in heart attacks.
Also Read: Politics
To create the vaccine in India, AstraZeneca collaborated with the Serum Institute of India (SII). President of the Gujarat Congress and Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil enquired as to why, despite the WHO‘s advice, no data was gathered.