News Link: Celebrate Festivals Away From Crowds – Calcutta High Court
The court order barring crowds at Durga Puja pandals is the best the judiciary could do under the prevailing circumstances. Vaccines are just a few months away and India is seeing a downward trend in Covid cases. It was after a prolonged first wave that peaked in mid-September. But festival crowds and the cooler weather are risk factors that could trigger an avoidable second spike with its attendant carnage. The Bengal government must fully implement the court order, instead of the strange ambivalence on display.
Government Just saying stay inside and do virtual pujas and wear a mask is not sufficient.
Governments must lead the way so that people will follow. An action plan for Kolkata that improves upon the judicial order is urgently needed. This will require more deployment of police, home guard, and volunteers to help in crowd management. Without showing administrative will the court order will remain on paper. This is a travesty – governments are duty-bound to safeguard the health and public order.
Politicking governors like BS Koshyari set a bad precedent in this respect. He tried to politically corner Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray for delaying the opening of places of worship. At the same time, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan’s words of reason and caution on festivals and ostentatious celebrations were un-heard. Similarly, Social distancing wouldn’t have been such a worry if only Indians followed a serious mask discipline. East Asian countries did to successfully control the pandemic. State governments could have followed up loud proclamations on imposing fines against mask violators with actual enforcement. Now they must join Vardhan in communicating to citizens the good sense inherent in celebrating festivals away from crowds. Finally, enforce curbs where necessary.
Compiled by – MK (Editor)
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News Link: Celebrate Festivals Away From Crowds – Calcutta High Court
