After Covid Super-Spreader Maha Kumbh, Uttarakhand Govt Rallies for Chardham Yatra! How Many More Must Die, Before Our Govts Decide to Mend?

“EC responsible for second Covid wave, officials may be booked under murder charges: Madras High Court”

“Holding Kumbh made Uttarakhand a laughing stock: High court”

Post Khumb Mela, Uttarakhand see’s 1,800% jump in active COVID cases

“Modi is a ‘super spreader’ of coronavirus”, says India Medical Association Vice President

“West Bengal has highest coronavirus case spike rate in India- Infections up by 9.5% in state, highest test positivity rate in Kolkata”

17,207 new cases were logged in Bengal in the last 24 hours, of which 3,821 cases surfaced in Kolkata

Similarly Bengal has witnessed huge spike in COVID cases with reports coming that every second person tested in places like Kolkata returning positive. There is no doubt on who is responsible for these super spreader events. Central government led by Modi was busy electioneering when it had to sit down and chart out a plan to tackle the Second Wave, whose threat was flagged off by the Parliamentary Committee.

Despite warnings by public health professions the Election Commission of India allowed election rallies and huge gatherings and held the longest election in Bengal despite pleas by all parties except BJP club the remaining phases into one to save lives of people. PM Modi along with Home Minister Amit Shah were openly seen violating COVID protocols by addressing huge gatherings without wearing mask. This complete lack of sensitivity of the present BJP government has been the biggest contributor to this second wave.

At a time when people are dying outside hospitals waiting for oxygen and beds, images of burning pyres on footpaths, parking lots and parks is showing the death rate and lack of space in crematories, the Uttarakhand Government’s decision to schedule the religious pilgrimage of Char Dham Yatra is bound to spell further doom for public health and escalate the raging COVID crisis. Uttarakhand High Court has come down heavily on the government and criticised it for holding Kumbh Mela during pandemic and now has expressed its apprehension saying Char Dam Yatra cannot be a repeat of Kumbh Mela. This ‘yatra’ which is supposed to start on 3 May had more than four lakh people participated last year.

Similarly, we have seen how how the ‘Sahi Snan’ of Maha Kumbh in Allahabad had resulted in the sudden spike in the cases. In the absence of any comprehensive health infrastructure, when thousands of COVID patients are dying because of the lack of basic facilities like oxygen supply, a step like this is nothing but a sure recipe of disaster. AISA demand’s the government to listen to what the Courts and Pubic Health experts are telling and immediately revoke the decision to organise the pilgrimage this year in the interest of life, health and safety of people.