Corona: Candle march, Kirtan, lighting the lamp; Social Distancing, Administration's advise ignored in Barak Valley

India is about to enter the fourth-week post first Corona detection in the country. Virology experts have termed this the third stage and this is when the virus spreads at a community level. A country with a high population density like India is extremely vulnerable at this stage and that is why the Ministry of Health and Family Planning, Government of India has advised the citizen of the country to stay indoors unless it is extremely essential and practice social distancing.

Health Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and all the district administrations have also communicated the same. However, a significant section of the population of Barak Valley has decided to ignore the advice and started doing ‘Group-Kirtans’, lighting the sacred lamp (pradip) and marching with Moshal.

Today evening in several parts of Silchar town it was spotted that people have gathered and were lighting lamps and incense stick in front of their gates. From areas in the heart of the town like College Road, Premtola, Ambicapatty to the tea estate in Salchapra on the outskirts, this exercise was practiced in many places. When one of our correspondents asked the ladies who were lighting the lamp and why they were doing the same. One of the ladies responded, “It is because God asked us to do the same in order to keep the virus away from our house.”

Few others, however, said that they were doing this as they could not want to travel to a Shani Temple. It is worth mentioning here that Hindus on Saturday light candles, lamp, incense sticks in front of Shani Temples on Saturdays. The administration has appealed to the masses to avoid visiting religious places in order to avoid large gatherings. In fact, sacred places like Kachakanti Temple have already announced that starting today, the temple will remain shut for pilgrims and tourists.

It is not only lighting of lamp that the people of Barak Valley have resorted to, during the day, groups were also spotted doing kirtan on the streets. They said it is their way of “praying to God to save them from the pandemic.” A group of women residing in the villages of Kalain, Lakhipur area walked the streets doing Kirtan.

A while back, a Moshal Michil (candle march) was spotted in Karimganj. A procession of around 100 individuals walked through the centre of the town holding Moshals in their hand. Few were even playing ‘Dhol’, ‘Tasha’ and doing Kirtans. Arnav Roy, a resident of Brojendra Road in Karimganj uploaded a video on social media.

Another Karimganj resident saw the same procession near Babyland School in Romoni Road. The resident went and asked one of the individuals – why they were marching with the lights and doing Kirtans. She said the individual replied, “Pagla Mashi of Agaratala Maata bari had asked everyone to do so and that is why they were marching with candles.”

While it is clear that the pandemic has caused a lot of fear among the general public, however, Kintan and processions make it even worse. Also, this is completely what the administration has been advising. SP Cachar, Manabendra Dev Ray in his appeal to the people of Barak Valley said, “One earnest request to all the people of Cachar if not required, please do not go out for the safety of yourself and others. Also, request you to kindly obey the instructions already passed by the government.”

In this time of a global crisis, it is highly important for the people to cooperate with the government and follow the advisory released by the government. It remains to be seen if the administration can generate awareness among the residents living in semi-urban and rural parts of the Valley.