The deadly coronavirus is taking lives all across the world. The Indian government ordered a complete lockdown from 22nd March onwards across India. Despite every inch of this world getting affected so drastically, the entire world is under lockdown to curb this deadly disease. Amidst this, a good section of literate people seem to be on roads roaming unnecessarily; to their worship places or indulging in not such important activities. It is tolerable if some are out for some genuine reason, but except for the mentioned essential services, the above-mentioned kind of people have triggered a wave of anger inside me.
On the day of the ‘Janta curfew,‘ i.e. March 22 2020, our honourable Prime Minister urged people to remain inside our homes for our safety and pay gratitude to all our health and sanitation workers working at the frontline. The people of India made us proud by exhibiting unity in offering them gratitude, but on the other hand, the irresponsible behaviour of a few of them dragged the ‘celebration’ to the roads. The curfew is for us, for our safety, and our country’s safety. It is shameful to see people driving and walking on the roads during a complete lockdown, only to check out the environment outside or buy things.
Daily wage workers are facing a near-hell situation, taking to travel to their hometowns on foot. I extend my full sympathy to them, despite their naivety, financial condition, literacy level and circumstances standing as a barrier towards rightfully executing the lockdown.
I want to ask those people on the roads buying their groceries, do they have stock for only a day? Have they extinguished all their previous groceries and necessities? Then their privilege would complain about the police seizing their vehicles. This foolishness speaks a lot about us. The government too, has ordered only necessary and essential services to be operational. Some people have been regularly and continuously visiting their worship places despite warnings. I want to know, which holy book and religion preaches centres of worship as superior to people’s lives and the country’s welfare?
“Be it a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Parsi or someone from any other religion, ek din apne dharamsthal nahi jaoge toh apne dharam me dhokebaaz nahi kehlaoge. Tumhara khuda tumse aake tumhare Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Isaai, Sikh hone ka gawaah nahi mangega. Ya apne aap pe hi shaq hai apne dharam ka hone ka toh tumhara khud ka koi wajood hi nahi” (If you do not go to your chosen place of worship, no one will call you a religious traitor. Your God will not seek from you your proof of being a Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Christian or Sikh. If you question your own religiosity, then perhaps, your own existence is questionable).
Don’t mock the lockdown; it is not a joke. It is essential to understand the seriousness of the situation. You have internet access; you can spend time without getting bored. Try to utilise this time. These instances are proof that the government is not wrong. We, in our truest forms, do not practice self-discipline.