Pleading migrant labourers to stay put in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that the "biggest patriotism" right now is to "stay wherever you are" and make the 21-day countrywide lockdown a success or India could fail against the coronavirus outbreak.
Kejriwal said the country has to fight the virus with "Arjuna's vision", totally focussed.
Thousands of labourers, rendered jobless due to the lockdown, had gathered at a bus terminus near UP-Delhi border and hundreds even started walking down thousands of kilometres in a desperate attempt to reach their homes, triggering fears that efforts to contain the spread of the virus could fail.
In an online press briefing, the chief minister referred to mass exodus and warned if even one person among the labourers has the virus, he could infect others and the disease could reach the villages.
"A large number of people are returning from cities to their villages. I appeal to them please stay wherever you are," Kejriwal said, citing developed countries like the US and Italy, who have been struggling to contain the virus and where it has killed thousands of people and infected lakhs.
"Thankfully, India is not in that stage yet," he said.
"The biggest patriotism right now is to stay inside your homes," he said, urging those who step out of their homes to remain indoors."If people don't follow the mantra, this lockdown will fail, we will fail, and this county will fail in containing the outbreak."
Kejriwal said his government has made arrangements to provide food and accommodation in schools. "We have emptied the stadiums and made arrangements for people to stay there too if a need arises. We are giving freed food to four lakh people daily, lunch and dinner. Let's fight this together."
In an appeal to industrialists and businessmen, he said, "I appeal to you with folded hands, if you have earned wealth, this is the time to use it...God bestowed wealth on you for times like these."