PM Modi on Maan ki Baat: 'I apologize for taking these harsh steps'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked forgiveness to Indians whose lives had been thrown into disarray by the lockdown but stated that the measure was mandatory to combat coronavirus.

Addressing the nation through Maan ki Baat, PM Modi said, "I apologize for taking these harsh steps which have caused difficulties in your lives, especially the poor. I know some of you would be angry with me also. But these tough measures were needed to win this battle."

"The battle against Covid-19 is a tough one and it required such harsh decisions. It is important to keep the people of India safe," he added.

PM Modi spelled out the perils Covid-19 poses. "Coronavirus is posing a challenge to knowledge, science, rich-poor, strong-weak alike. It is not confined to any nation's borders, nor does it makes the distinction of region or season," he said.

"Coronavirus is bent on killing people therefore entire humanity must unite and resolve to eliminate it," PM Modi added.

During his address, the Prime Minister urged Indians to show courage and resolve, follow "Lakshman Rekha" for several more days.

The Prime Minister also commended the front-line workers in the fight against the pathogen as well as workers in the essential service who are making sure the country does not come to a complete cessation in the lockdown.

PM Modi’s adress came as the imposition of a nationwide lockdown has left several migrant workers with no means to earn a living, forcing them to deal with long journey on foot to their homeland in the absence of any means of transport.

Economists and activists have dubbed the lockdown a "national emergency" which has put lakhs of people in danger of perishing in hunger and trauma and have called for an immediate response to the humanitarian crisis, to prevent it from escalating.

The lockdown has also left several without essential commodities as police throughout the country crack down on those venturing out to get medicines or groceries. Disruptions in the supply chain have been reported from across the nation. Farmers, who are in peak produce season, are pleading governments to buy their produce as they risk facing huge losses because of the closure.

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