At a time when the whole world is seeking solution to get rid of the Covid19 pandemic, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the virus is a "living organism and it deserves to live".

Rawat's unusual video statement went viral on social media in which he said that the pandemic is a living organism like human being so that it also has the right to live. His remarks triggered stinging barbs from Opposition leaders who had described his statement as not just "insensitive", but also "foolish".