The deadly coronavirus has now become a global concern, with rising deaths and infections across the world. However, the Hindu Mahasabha apparently thinks that the novel coronavirus is an "avatar" to punish non-vegetarians.

According to a report by a news agency, Swami Chakrapani, the national president of Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha, said, "Coronavirus is not a virus, but an avatar for the protection of poor creatures. They have come to give the message of death and punishment to the one who eats them." Claiming that people in China were being taught a lesson for torturing animals, Chakrapani further added, "Non-vegetarian Chinese populace should take this pledge that they will not harm any innocent creatures in future, then the anger of Corona will come down."

The novel coronavirus, now officially called Covid-19, has claimed the lives of more than 1800 people and infected infected over 70000 people across the world. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in China. As the death toll and overall cases began rising rapidly across the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.