Ban on Gatherings Must Be Enforced Even-Handedly
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-04-14 06:30:38
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It is surprising and inconsistent that the Centre has taken a position that not more than 20 people should be allowed to pray at Nizamuddin Markaz mosque in Delhi in the holy month of Ramzan when it is turning a blind eye to violation of Covid protocols at the Maha Kumbh in Haridwar (where incidentally more than 100 pilgrims and 20 seers tested Covid positive on Tuesday) and the various political rallies in poll-bound states, apart from other religious and social gatherings.
The Delhi High Court, hearing an appeal against order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) banning all types of religious gatherings, was right in asking the Centre to file an affidavit to clarify whether the above order was being used to curb all religious gatherings or was being used selectively.
The DDMA order applies to the NCR (in which the Nizamuddin Markaz mosque falls) and the second wave has been particularly severe in Delhi. Hence, the government is within its rights to impose restrictions on gatherings of all kinds, including religious ones. But it has to be ensured that the order is being enforced across the board and not selectively.
Further, when it is seen that lakhs gathered at the Maha Kumbh in Haridwar ignoring health protocols like wearing masks or maintaining social distancing, and people at election rallies also did not stick to such protocols, the government's position regarding prayers at the Markaz mosque seems discriminatory.
Since Covid is spreading fast all over the country (UP reported 18021 fresh cases on Tuesday, the highest-ever one-day rise), two things need to be ensured - one, that the Covid protocols are strictly enforced all over the country and two, they are enforced for all religious, political and social gathering and not selectively. It is important that the government acts in an even-handed manner when it comes to imposing such restrictions.
