The pandemic has brought devastation in India. The second wave is deadlier than the first one, and with each passing day, we witness a rise in the number of cases and deaths. Amid all of this, there are certain people coming up with bizarre ideas to get rid of the virus. One such example is that of Karnataka's MLA who followed a ritual and claimed that the fire would “clear the air and rid it of COVID-19 virus droplets.”

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Recently, BJP Leader and Karnataka MLA Abhay Patil conducted 'Agnihotra Homa' to eliminate coronavirus. This took place in Belagavi city on Tuesday.

#Karnataka MLA and BJP leader Abhay Patil led an 'Agnihotra' procession in Belagavi on Tuesday, according to him the smoke emitted from the ‘homa’ fire would clear the air and eradicate #COVID19. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/lKrEUoAFO8

— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) May 25, 2021

The country is in lockdown, but the MLA, with a group of 50 people, was seen breaking the norms and pushing the cart that contained cow dung cakes, neem leaves, camphor, Guggula and other herbs. They burnt the composition and performed homa on Tuesday morning.

After doing the ritual, the MLA from the Belagavi South constituency mentioned, "I follow Ayurveda stream of medicine. By performing the homa, I hope we can contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.”

© Twitter/DarshanDevaiahB

He further stressed the importance of doing such rituals and said, "It is our effort to remind ourselves about Agnihotra and other native medicinal practices,” He also claimed that he didn't violate any lockdown mandates.

“Agnihotra homa is a science. You may ask for scientific evidence, but homa itself is science for Hindus. Reporters like you will never understand it. So there is no point in discussing with you over matters of faith,”

© Twitter/DarshanDevaiahB

Mr Patil, with at least 50 people, was seen performing Agnihotri outside people's homes and mentioned that these practices would go on till June 15.

© Twitter/DarshanDevaiahB

Belagavi district recorded 17 deaths and has 57,846 active positive cases in the area, said the district administration as per Monday stats.

(5)  Twitter/DarshanDevaiahB

Here's how the people on Twitter reacted to the situation.

Not doctors, not nurses, not hospital staff; these people are the real Corona Warriors.

— Pramod Kumar (@PramodPks1966) May 25, 2021

So, they can do all this? Would the govt allow aam citizens to do such yagna / homa and roam around?

— Srinath Menon (@smenonk) May 25, 2021

Spreading superstition,being an MLA.Not to his stature

— KTthimmareddy (@KTthimmareddy) May 25, 2021

When will we have the results?

— sceptic (@scepticalindian) May 25, 2021

Yayyy. We are safe now! 🥳

— Aviyrik (@aviyrik) May 25, 2021

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