Stressing that congregating in religious places will cause "chaos" in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, music maestro AR Rahman has urged people to adhere to the advice of the government and self-isolate.
The Oscar winner's appeal comes after the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic organisation headquartered in Delhi's Nizamuddin West emerged as an epicentre for the spread of COVID-19. Thousands of people took part in a congregation from March 8 - 22.
In a lengthy statement on Twitter, Rahman on Wednesday asked people to be "kind and thoughtful".
"God is inside your heart (the most sacred shrine), so this is not the time to cause chaos by congregating in religious places. Listen to the government's advice. Self-isolation for a few weeks may give you many more years.
"Do not spread the virus and cause harm to fellow humans. This disease does not even warn you that you are a carrier, so don't assume you are not infected. This is not the time to spread false rumours and cause more anxiety and panic," he wrote.
Rahman also thanked the healthcare workers on the frontlines, battling the pandemic in order to save several lives in the country.
"This message is to thank the doctors, nurses, and all the staff working, in hospitals and clinics all across India, for their bravery and selflessness. It fills one's heart to see how ready they are to deal with this most dreadful pandemic. They risk their lives to save ours," the 53-year-old composer said.
He said one must help their neighbours, senior citizens, the underprivileged and migrant workers during this health crisis.
"It's time to forget our differences and unite against this invisible enemy that has turned the world upside down. It's time to bring the beauty of humanity and spirituality into action," he added.
This message is to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff working in hospitals and clinics all around India, for their bravery and selflessness... pic.twitter.com/fjBOzKfqjy
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) April 1, 2020
Oscar-winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty and Rahman's collaborator on the award-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" shared the same sentiments.
"... God is in your hearts not in shrines, you don't have to congregate now, follow Govt rules, few days of isolation might give you many years of life!" Pookutty tweeted on Thursday.
Thank you brother @arrahman .... I share the same sentiments... God is in your hearts not in shrines, you don’t have to congregate now, follow Govt rules, few days of isolation might give you many years of life! https://t.co/hHKLQVw7oK
— resul pookutty (@resulp) April 2, 2020
On Thursday, at least 29 new cases in India were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat. 74 out of 75 cases reported in Tamil Nadu, 26 out of 27 COVID-19 cases in Telangana , 11 out of 14 new cases in Karnataka and all 32 positive cases in Andhra linked to the Tablighi Jamaat.
(With inputs from PTI)