Kumbh Mela 2021: Uttarakhand officials say enforcing social distancing may lead to stampede
The flagrant violation of Covid-appropriate behaviour has exposed the Uttarakhand government's claims of preparedness to host the mega religious event.
FollowAt a time when the country is battling a second wave of Covid-19 cases, the Shahi Snan at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand's Haridwar is posing a major health risk.Â
The flagrant violation of Covid-appropriate behaviour has exposed the Uttarakhand government's claims of preparedness to host the mega religious event.
More so, officials have thrown in their towel.
Speaking to a news agency, Inspector General of Police-Haridwar Kumbh Mela Sanjay Gunjyal went to the extent to say that enforcing social distancing at the ghats could result in a stampede-like situation.
He told the news agency that due to the large number of people who had descended upon the ghat, it is practically not possible to issue challans or ensure social distancing.
Visuals on television channels narrated the story of administrative failure. People could be seen mingling without masks or masks dangling from the chin.Â
The 'Shahi Snan' is a ritual part of the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which is held once every 12 years at each of India's four river-bank pilgrimage sites.
During random testing at Har Ki Pauri on Sunday, at least nine people were found Covid positive.
The Centre had asked the Uttarakhand government to follow all the "stringent measures" to control COVID-19 spread during the Kumbh. The Uttarakhand government had released a set of guidelines as per which a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours before arrival was made mandatory for devotees assembling for the Kumbh.
The situation at the ghats reveals an entirely different story.
