Madhya Pradesh minister bats for 'yagna' to defeat COVID amid state's preparations against third wave Culture Minister Usha Thakur claimed 'yagya' is a practice to purify the environment and it is "not bigotry or ritualism". Share Via Email | A+A A- By PTI INDORE: Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Usha Thakur has said 'yagya' is an ancient method of purifying the environment and claimed such a practice is being followed since ages to get rid of pandemics. Amid the ongoing second wave of COVID-19, Thakur on Tuesday appealed to people to perform "havan" (a fire ritual) at one time. "We appeal to all to perform yagya and offer aahuti (oblation) and purify the environment because performing this sacred ritual to eliminate pandemics has been a tradition since ages," she told reporters.