In the country, where coronavirus cases are crossing the 1 lakh mark every day, lakhs of devotees took a holy dip in the Ganges today on the occasion of the third ‘Shahi Snan’. The current Kumbh Mela is estimated to attract around one million people daily. Overall, it is estimated to attract around 100 to 150 million people.
Hundreds of sadhus of different akharas, ash–smeared Nagas, and common people are violating covid-19 norms at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. They all are not taking covid seriously in the name of religion.
The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage that is held after every 12 years at river fort sites along the Ganges river in India. Har Ki Pauri ghat is known to be one of the holiest ghats in India. The ghat is reserved for these akharas from 7 am onwards. Hundreds of devotees are marching barefoot to their destination wearing no mask, maintaining no social distancing.
On Covid situation of Kumbh Mela, Inspector General Sanjay Gunjyal said,
It is very difficult for police to enforce social distancing during Kumbh mela. The massive crowd is gathering here with no masks and violating every sort of covid-19 norms. We’re trying to issue the challan of the people who are not following covid-19 norms, but practically it is impossible to do that because of such an immense crowd.
Well, a negative RT-PCR test report is compulsory if you want to enter Kumbh Mela. The report should not be older than 72 hours before arrival. However, the question is what about the silent carriers who can spread the virus?
Cases are increasing in Haridwar
According to the reports, almost every 20 pilgrims are reported as covid positive daily at the Kumbh. On the other hand, Uttarakhand logged 1,925 covid cases with 13 deaths because of covid in the last 24 hours. Haridwar records more than 1000 new covid cases in the last two days. The Kumbh Mela has been limited to just one month because of rising cases of coronavirus.
India becomes the second most infected country by covid after the US leaving behind Brazil. The Kumbh Mela was unnecessary this year because we’re in the middle of a pandemic. Politicians are putting people’s lives at risk, and people are happy with it. On one side, PM Modi is advising people to maintain social distancing and follow covid protocols. However, he is holding rallies with the immense crowd and also silent on Kumbh Mela amid covid-19 spike. This is also the mistake of people, they are following beliefs blindly, which is dangerous. Hence, it’s now blind faith vs pandemic!
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