Piyush Goyal slams Siddaramaiah over Covid vaccine remarks, demand public apology
Speaking at IIT Madras Sangam 2025 event on Saturday, Goyal said it was unfortunate that such a statement had come from the CM of a state, in a country known as the 'pharmacy of the world.' He said: 'Our scientists and startups worked day and night, conducted experiments, and built two vaccines when developed nations were struggling. India didn't just protect its own people but also supplied vaccines to 150 countries, giving them free to over 100 countries.'
Goyal added: 'Now, when the world is thanking India for saving lives, Siddaramaiah is insulting those efforts. Is he siding with countries that have an agenda against the Indian government? What is he trying to say? He owes a public apology.'
Referring to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Goyal pointed out how India faced a severe shortage of PPE kits and vaccines. 'In just days, Indian startups and enterprises developed PPE kits locally and we became the second-largest producers in the world,' he said. 'When we tried to buy vaccines from abroad, we were pushed to the back of the line. Developed countries hoarded expensive vaccines. But India developed its own. Even today, people across the world thank India for saving lives,' he said, adding, 'And yet, the Chief Minister finds this a matter of shame?'
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