Despicable power politics

As the fourth phase of the lockdown ended from May 31 and a 'phased exit' began from Monday, the total coronavirus cases in India have increased to 182,143 while the death toll has gone up to 5,164, according to figures released on Monday morning by the Ministry of Health.

In past 24 hours, between May 29 and May 30, 8,380 new cases – a new daily record - and 193 deaths were reported.

On May 30, the Ministry of Home Affairs released guidelines for the fifth phase of a nationwide lockdown from June 1, allowing hotels, restaurants and shopping malls to open, besides permitting all inter and intrastate movement of public and goods.

At every crucial or critical turn, we expected that the people would behave responsibly and adopt a healthier lifestyle, yet it had not happened in the country. Perhaps, politics again took a centrestage and the current spike is the result of the same.

Our so-called main Opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, who behaves similarly to the free radical cell in the body, and his cronies and beneficiaries, don't seem to keep nation's interest in mind at all and keep switching their stand on the lockdown conveniently.

India has resolved not to blame any particular event, including a religious event of Delhi, to single out any community for the spread of the virus.

Yet, politicos who come to power under weird possibilities keep pointing fingers at a national event of Gujarat (the motor mouth of Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut just did it) as responsible for the spread of the virus in Mumbai and Delhi.

This play is also to disown responsibility for the mishandling of Mumbai situation which is leading in the cases and fatalities in the country today.

Similarly we have West Bengal, where Mamata Didi blames the 'Shramik Specials" for spreading the virus calling them 'Corona Express". trains. What does she expect the Centre to do if not arrange trains to the native places of migrant labour? At least now, these minions should open their eyes and realise the dangers of Corona which is bound to consume everyone without malice.

Though the government has announced a phased exit from the national lockdown, areas identified as Covid-19 containment zones will be completely locked down till June 30 across the country. The onus of identifying these zones is on the state governments.

States will be allowed to impose additional curbs as per the ground situation about the pandemic. Some states like Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh have announced they would extend the lockdown by 2-4 weeks but they too have announced some relaxations.

According to the health ministry data updated on May 31 morning, Maharashtra has the highest number of confirmed cases (65,168), followed by Tamil Nadu (21,184), Delhi (18,549) and Gujarat (16,343). Of the 5,164 deaths across the country, Maharashtra accounts for the highest number of fatalities at 2,197, followed by Gujarat (1,007) and Delhi (416).

Just about 3.6 million people have been tested so far in the country of 1.34 billion people. Now that our country is almost fully open, it is up to the people to protect themselves rather than depending on the sagacity of the politicians.