A Union minister who had come out on the streets to spread awareness about the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant lockdown, urged people to stay indoors and helped people put on masks has been criticised for herself flouting quarantine and social-distancing rules.

Debasree Chaudhuri, the Union minister of state for women and child welfare who represents Raiganj in North Dinajpur, returned to Calcutta from New Delhi on March 23 and travelled by car to her constituency three days ago, ignoring the state government’s directive to those coming from other states, as also from abroad, to remain in 14 days’ home quarantine.

On Thursday, Debasree said she was perturbed to see “hundreds of people roaming outside without any reason and blatantly violating the lockdown”, prompting her to step out of home to “spread awareness” about the virus and the restrictions.

“I also distributed masks among people as they were out on the streets without the protective gear,” the MP said.

“I will request the DM and the SP to take steps so that people follow the lockdown and do not come out unless there is an emergency. I spoke to many people and everybody had one excuse or the other for stepping out of home. This cannot go on,” she added.

Opposition leaders pointed out that the MP had herself violated quarantine rules.

“She came from Delhi and did not bother to stay in home quarantine. Moreover, she tied masks around people’s faces, flouting social-distancing norms. I have informed the district magistrate over phone and requested him to look into the issue,” said Ali Imran Ramz, the Forward Bloc MLA of Chakulia.

Debasree said she had been strictly following social-distancing rules, but what she saw today had forced her to step out.

“We have been alert since the beginning of last month and I maintained social distancing and took other precautions during my stay in Delhi. After I returned to Calcutta on March 23, I was at home and even after coming here in Raiganj, I did not come out of my home,” she said.

“However, when I came to know that people were violating the lockdown and the administration was not taking any step to ensure they stayed at home, I was forced to come out to make residents aware of the risks. I met people and spoke to them while maintaining a distance and following other directives,” Debasree added.

District Congress MLA Mohit Sengupta has lodged a complaint with the DM against Debasree.

District Trinamul chief Kanaialal Agarwala said it was “unfortunate” that the Union minister had herself flouted quarantine rules. “How can she convince common people to stay indoors?” Agarwala asked.