On March 25, India was put under lockdown for the first time as a preventive measure to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. Maintaining social distancing, using masks and keeping oneself sanitised and hygienic has proved crucial in tackling the pandemic. Huge gatherings have been restricted and people are told to home quarantine themselves.
Even after taking so many precautionary measures, Covid-19 cases in India have reportedly crossed the 80,000-mark. But it’s not stopping people from flouting the rules.
In a shocking turn of events, a huge number of people gathered in Ramanagara district of Karnataka for a temple fair. According to DNA, people of Kolagondanahalli village, around 50 kilometres away from Bengaluru, gathered to pray to Goddess Maramma to get rid of the virus.
The irony : Hundreds gather at a village in Ramanagar for a religious fair, prayers included an appeal to the Gods to get rid of the #CoronaVirus. All this while they violate norms to contain the virus.
No #Masks.
No #SocialDistanacing. #COVID19 #COVIDー19 #lockdown pic.twitter.com/3uvSE2694v— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) May 14, 2020
In a video shared online, unmasked people were seen violating the social distancing norms as they stood in long queues to offer prasad to the deity, reports India Today.
What’s even appalling is that they were granted permission for the religious gathering by the Panchayat Development Officer, NC Kalmatta. However, he has been suspended by the Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner following a report by the Tehsildar, reported The Indian Express.
Karnataka: People gathered in large numbers y'day in Kolagondanahalli village of Ramanagara for a village fair.They had taken permission for gathering from Panchayat Development Officer NC Kalmatt.He has been suspended by Ramanagara Dy Commissioner following a report by Tehsildar pic.twitter.com/lOGspyW1KR
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
Reacting to the village fair, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said, “Stern action will be taken against the person responsible for organising the festival. This should not have happened.”
It’s disturbing to see so many people swarmed into a temple violating the lockdown norms and putting their lives at risk. We humbly appeal to everyone to stay at home and stay safe.