Bengaluru: While the entire nation is fighting the coronavirus, an event in the national capital makes us refocus our lens on a few elements in the society that can play havoc in societal interests. 

The Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin Markaz defied lockdown with 3400 people in attendance. 

It was on March 13 that around 3400 assembled at Nizamuddin Markaz as part of the religious event. 

And on March 16, the CM of Delhi announced that there would no gatherings of more than 50 people. Yet, there was no respect for his words. The event continued. 

Four days later, 10 Indonesians who had attended the event test positive in Telangana. 

On March 22, the much important event, Janata curfew took place. No gatherings were allowed. 

A day later, around 1500 vacated the event. 

On March 25, there were around 1000 people still in attendance. 

A day later, an Indian preacher dies in Srinagar. This preacher was a part of the event. 

On March 30, there were reports that six of those who attended the event died in Telangana. 

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has ordered an FIR be filed against the Maulana for holding an event of this magnitude despite the orders. 

What makes anyone’s blood boil is how such congregations take place despite being fully aware that it is an invitation for the virus to spread. 

It would be anyone’s guess that social distancing would have been compromised there and the health requirements not honoured. 

The Delhi government has this to say about the event: 

“The lockdown was imposed on March 24 and it was the duty of every owner and administrator of every hotel, guesthouse, hostel and similar establishment to maintain social distancing. It looks like social distancing and quarantine protocols were not practised here.”

It further added: 

“Now, it has come to our knowledge that the administrators violated these conditions and several cases of Corona-positive patients have been found here.”