While the entire country is under a lock down over threat from Corona, unruly citizens who have no concern about public health are defying orders and putting themselves and other people at risk of contracting the virus.
Reports from various parts of the country suggest that residents have been defying the measures taken to stem the spread of the virus either ignorantly or deliberately. In several places, people who had come for festival shopping were given a warning and sent away after a mild lathi charge. However, it has not been as simple in all instances are rowdy and anti-social elements were found to be willfully flouting the Lock down norms.
In Bengaluru, Muslim youths who were loitering and performing bike stunts during the lockdown were confronted by the Police. Instead of adhering to their request, they attacked the police constable on duty. Tajoddin, who was performing bike stunts attacked police with stones when they tried to stop him and his friends. They were then apprehended while Tajoddin tried to flee. He was shot in the leg and then hospitalized. Police have registered and FIR against him.
In Hyderabad, Madurai and Mumbai, there were reports indicating that Muslims continued to gather at Mosques to offer Namaz despite the district authorities asking them to refrain from doing so. In Zakir Nagar, Okhla, Delhi, Muslims gathered and went on usual activities paying no heed to the lock down.
In Mumbai too, video of a Muslim mob attacking police for asking them to return home has gone viral on the internet. A group of Muslims who came in a car were stopped and questioned by the police. The gang gets down from the car and picks up a quarrel with the police and then physically attack them.
It is worthwhile to remember that all Hindu temples, trusts and Mathas including the famous Tirupathi temple, Siddivinayak temple in Mumbai, Shirdi Sai Baba temple, have all declared as being closed for all devotees and staff during the Lock down period. Temples are now involved in community service and are helping the poor and needy by distributing food and essential items to a number of families on a daily basis.
In another instance from Mumbai again, local Muslims residents from the market area came together in large numbers to offer Namaz on the road on 25th March when the Lock down was in vogue. A lady named Rabia had died of Corona infection in the same area but the residents seemed not to take social distancing seriously.
In Moradabad of Uttar Pradesh, despite request from UP CM Yogi Adityanath, to practice social distancing to fight against coronavirus, people seemed not to be bothered and were seen gathering in crowds at several public places like vegetable and meat markets. Similar incidents were reported from Kanpur and Prayagraj.
In Kerala, a Mosque defied advisory to stop the spread of Coronavirus and conducted Friday namaz on 20th March. The Police registered a case against Mosque authorities later.
The Pilathara Juma masjid, in Kannur district of Kerala, defied the directive of the district administration to curb gatherings to contain the spread of COVID-19 and conducted namaz. The local police then registered a case against the authorities of the Mosque for violating the guidelines and putting people’s lives at risk. The namaz was attended by over 500 people.
The police and the district administration had given strict guidelines to Churches, Mosques and Temples in the region to avoid gatherings and worship to stop the spread of the deadly virus. However, the authorities of the Mosque went ahead with the decision to do conduct the Namaz on Friday.
“All persons who defy direction of health authorities to remain under strict home/institutional quarantine for recommended period,shall be liable for legal action u/s 188 of IPC. Don’t panic or nurse any misgivings about #QUARANTINE” – Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare “#SocialDistancing must become a habit! It is the simplest way to prevent infection & decrease the spread, morbidity & mortality from #COVID19 . Pls maintain atleast a metre of distance from people. In the present crisis, it means no visitors & no malls. #StayHome #ShopOnline” – Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare
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