PM failed to address critical questions on India's fight against COVID-19 in his message: Cong; BJP supports Modi's appeal for Apr 5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message on Friday, urging people to light candles or diya on April 5 to display India's collective resolve to defeat coronavirus evoked sharp reactions from the Congress, which dubbed the message as "just a feel-good moment curated by India's photo-op Prime Minister" while the BJP asked its workers to spread Modi's appeal among the masses.

Asserting that the way in which the entire country has fought the battle against coronavirus unitedly under Modi's leadership is laudable, BJP president J P Nadda asked party workers to spread the prime minister's message to light lamps or mobile phone torches at 9pm on Sunday among the masses.

In a video message of over 11 minutes, Modi said,"this Sunday, on the 5th of April, we must all together, challenge the darkness spread by the corona crisis, introducing it to the power of light. We must awaken the superpower of 130 crore Indians...On the 5th of April, on Sunday, I want 9 minutes from all you, at 9 pm, turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or in you balconies, and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes."
While Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked people to support Modi's initiative, Union minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted,"we welcome this unique step of PM which will boost the morale of the people."
Tharoor also claimed that "this is no accident: the PM spoke on Ram Navami at 9 am for 9 mins, asked us to light diyas & candles on 5/4 at 9 pm for 9 mins. He is invoking all the auspicious elements Hinduism associates with number 9. Back to Ram Bharose?! COVID19 must be more serious than we thought!