The crowding that happened after the Janta curfew on Sunday was an invitation to disaster. It was a crude copy of what Spain and Italy (two developed nations did) to applaud their health workers. It went horribly wrong in India. Here after the 5 pm curfew some people did clap on their balconies as exhorted by Prime Minister Modi but more people crowded the streets with their pots and pans ostensibly to drive away the novel CoronaVirus. In Spain and Italy the clapping was done with measured restraint (saiyam), one of two of the key virtues along with sankalp (determination or tenacity of purpose) which Prime Minister Modi had demanded of citizens. In some cities of India the crowding was so overwhelming that is had become an open invitation to the CoronaVirus. What was the point of the isolation from 7 am to 5 pm? It had become a self-defeating exercise. How did the Prime Minister’s message have gone so wrong?
Actually what is observed in this country today is resurgence in beliefs dating back to pre-historic days much of it steeped in superstition. The current belief is that noise will dispel all evil which is what the CoronaVirus has been reduced to. To add to the superstition is the fake news factory where messages are disseminated over WhatsApp. Too many people believe in WhatsApp messages than on government advisories. At a time of national emergency this can be the most fatal thing to do. Also this will make it challenging for health providers because instead of following scientific protocols people would resort to all kinds of faux medicines including cow-urine. That India in the 21st century and despite producing some of the best scientists and doctors in the world is still grappling with a population that is not just illiterate but superstitious is unfortunate. This is exacerbated by the fact that even ministers in the Modi Government are leading from the front in chanting “Go Corona Go.” This is a pathetic demonstration of where the country is today insofar as scientific enquiry is concerned. What are we conveying to the younger generation?
This is where responsible citizenship comes in. It’s the duty of every citizen to check the authenticity of a message before forwarding it. The itch to be the first to break the news must be tempered by the responsibility of what the impact of the message will be especially if it is one that creates panic. This will undo the work of governments to address the Covid19 pandemic.