'They don't wash plates licks spoons';I have nothing against muslims: AP deputy CM

Vijayawada: Contradicting Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s statement that Muslims should not be blamed for the spread of the novel coronavirus, Deputy.y Chief Minister and Excise Minister K Narayana Swamy on Saturday said that those who attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in New Delhi had spread the coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh.

Talking to the media in Tirupati, K Narayana Swamy said that he has nothing against Muslims but those who contracted the COVID-19 infection are the most undisciplined and they also ignored the instructions of the doctors.

"There were very few COVID-19 positive cases in Andhra Pradesh before the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in New Delhi. Those who attended the meeting from Andhra Pradesh have spread the virus in the state," he added.

Referring to a video that went viral on social media, Narayana Swamy also accused the Muslims of licking the plates and spoons and spreading the virus. He also said that COVID-19 patients (Muslims) are not cooperating with the doctors in the hospitals and they are deliberately defying the social distancing norm in the hospitals.

The minister further appealed the people to follow the hygiene with discipline to contain the spread of the dreaded virus.

Meanwhile, after his comments got into a controversy, he later stated that he did not intend to hurt the sentiments of Muslims. "I have enormous respect for my Muslim brothers. I refute my words unconditionally. I hope this Corona pestilence goes away from this country with the mercy of Allah."