<span style="color: #222222;">Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to ensure that COVID-19 rules are followed during Bharat Jodo Yatra, or suspend it in the national interest.<br />''<br />''In a separate letter to both leaders, he said COVID guidelines should be strictly followed during the Yatra which is going on in Rajasthan. He said, the use of masks and sanitisers should be ensured, and only vaccinated people should participate in it.  <br />''<br />''Mandaviya said there Rajasthan MPs had written to him that a number of Bharat Jodo Yatra participants have been detected COVID-19  positive. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister had also tested positive after attending this yatra. He said he took experts' views and wrote to Mr. Gandhi stating that COVID protocol should be followed in the Yatra. He also said, it is his duty to ensure that COVID-19 does not spread in the country.<br />''<br />''Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur sought to know whether the specific family is above all protocols. Talking to media outside Parliament, he took a dig at Congress saying he understands that the family gets more importance in the Opposition party than its president but they must still follow COVID-19 protocols.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile, Congress alleged that BJP MPs sent the letter following the enormous success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, Parliament is meeting normally and masks are no longer compulsory anywhere including on flights. Mr. Ramesh added that if there is a COVID-19 protocol for gatherings, Bharat Jodo Yatra will abide by it undoubtedly.</span>