Conflagrations in Democracy: A Peep in Causes and Cure

 

Vector courtesy: pixabay.com

British Prime Minister Boris Jhonson, while on a two-day tour to India, said, “India is a very different country from autocracies around the world. It’s a great democracy. It’s a stunning, shining fact that 1.35 billion people live under a democracy. That is something we should celebrate as it offers us an opportunity for closer cooperation and partnership.”  Mr Jhonson was speaking at a press conference on 22 April 2022.

With an age-old democratic system, India is now the world’s biggest democracy. With its elaborate and foolproof electoral system, it is robust and deep-rooted. However, there is a thorn in the flesh harmful to a harmonious society. Three-quarters of a century ago, the world saw that the people of a great country break the shackles of slavery to become a free nation in 1947. India was a free nation but wounded, profusely bleeding and vivisected. Staggering initially, the nation started to become strong and determined to walk on the road to success. The journey was bumpy but the people did it. There are still bumps, potholes and challenges but the pleasure is to conquer them all and achieve the goal. 

One such challenge, the cancerous rot of communalism, is yet to be treated effectively. Without going into the past, the recent incidence of communal flares would satisfactorily meet the requirement of this discussion. There had been a series of conflagrations in various parts of India, especially in the Northern part. The spark was ignited on 02nd April 2022 from Karauli, Rajasthan where on the onset of Vikram Samvat, a procession, organised with prior government permission, was pelted with stones followed by a rapid spread of arson and riot. The magnitude was such that numerous shops were gutted, vehicles torched and a curfew was imposed. This was followed by the incidence of riots, arson, stone-pelting and mayhem on festive occasions across the country. 

The unfortunate incidents including organized and planned riots broke out simultaneously in about twelve places encapsulating Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Goa, Gujrat, Uttarakhand and Delhi on the occasion of Ram Navami (10th April 2022) and Hanuman Jayanti (16th April 2022). The modus operandi of each was similar, indicating meticulous planning. Reports indicated that the sinister plan to malign India was conceived on the soil of a hostile neighbouring country. It was made operational and spread using social media platforms plus sleeper cells. 

 

The worst clashes started in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh on 10th April 2022. It was alleged that the procession (Shobha Yatra) while passing through the communally charged Talab Chowk area, was pelted upon from the roof-tops of houses and places of worship. Police personnel were hurt, and an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police received a gunshot injury while trying to stop a rioter brandishing a sword in the crowd. The other side, however, has a different story. It was counter-alleged that provocation came from the procession that led to the untoward incident. Who instigated the violence and how is a question of enquiry, but it left many innocents in a lurch. It sent a shock wave across the country. The government took stern and timely action. “No one would be spared”, thundered Shivraj Singh Chauhan the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. With the help of video footage, the rioters and hooligans were spotted and arrested. Houses started bulldozing. Ironically, the violence went on deaf ears until the demolition of houses started. Obdurate factionist political leaders, whose survival leaned on hate-mongering and communal politics came onto the central stage. With the parochial divisive agenda of playing the victim card, scathing and painting the government actions with communal hues started. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalmeen (AIMIM) chief Mr Assaduddin Owaisi claimed it was a “State complicit violence”, selectively targeted towards Muslims. He also alleged that the selective demolition of Muslim houses was “Illegal and against Geneva Convention”. He conveniently ignored the stark fact of stone-pelting on the procession and rioting. Owaisi in his tweet (22 April 2022), said:

“ “For...Muslims, living in India today effectively means being at the mercy” of a Hindutva govt. Things are unlikely to get better

We must not give in to hopelessness but also not become complacent. Inshallah, these dark clouds will pass”

Following suit, leaders like Shafiqur Rahaman Barq and others were seen blatantly flouting the social norms, spreading hate and fear among the communities. The atmosphere was being charged and drenched with inflammatory hate speeches that rant in the air. The political and self-proclaimed messiah of religious cause also contributed their bits. Social media was brimmed with canards of fiery concocted speeches. A rat race started to appease and polarize communities to win votes.

Council House, Uttar Pradesh
Photo: by author

The whole pantomime, staged by anti-nationals and quislings, was for maligning India’s image in general and Prime Minister Modi in particular. Ostensibly it was done to chip off the meticulously created monolith through the hard work of the people to present a towering image on the international forum. TV reports and a plethora of videos testify to organized hooliganism, arson and stone-pelting. It did not appear spontaneous even considering ‘provocation’ a cause of ignition, as devil’s advocate. It left no doubt about the malicious intention of those who used petrol bombs and brickbats that were pre-piled up for ready availability on the rooftops, besides intimidatingly crowd gathering of hooligans and rioters.

After a lull, the incidence of violence and arson, conflagrations and riots are becoming an order of the day. Society appears to be sitting on a heap of gunpowder. For the last seventy and five years, the people are feeling the brunt of serious riots even after the vivisection of the country and the creation of the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” based on the “Two Nation Theory”. Jinnah used to put it that Hindus and Muslims were poles apart that could not live together. This stubborn attitude resulted in the religious divide and is continuing to do so. Addressing the Lahore session of the Muslim League on 22nd March 1940, Jinnah said:

“[[23]] It is extremely difficult to appreciate why our Hindu friends fail to understand the real nature of Islam and Hinduism. They are not religions in the strict sense of the word, but are, in fact, different and distinct social orders; and it is a dream that the Hindus and Muslims can ever evolve a common nationality; and this misconception of one Indian nation has gone far beyond the limits and is the cause of more of our troubles and will lead India to destruction if we fail to revise our notions in time. The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literature[s]. They neither intermarry nor interdine together, and indeed they belong to two different civilisations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions. Their aspects [=perspectives?] on life, and of life, are different. It is quite clear that Hindus and Mussalmans derive their inspiration from different sources of history. They have different epics, their heroes are different, and different episode[s]. Very often the hero of one is a foe of the other, and likewise their victories and defeats overlap. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent, and final. destruction of any fabric that may be so built up for the government of such a state.” 

They wanted and had it. Pakistan is a reality. The religious division, however, failed to cement the two wings of Pakistan which, within about a quarter-century, were torn apart. Bangladesh emerged as a new country on the world map consequence of the civil war in 1971. The politics caused the vivisection, large-scale genocide and exodus way back in 1947. Paradoxically, most of those who instrumentalized the formation of Pakistan did not migrate there. 

It is being repeated in the same token. Politicians, who accepted division during the freedom movement, superficially tried to bandage the wounds of carnage. India opted for a secular system, though the word “Secular” was introduced in the Preamble of the Constitution by way of the 42nd Constitution Amendment in 1976. However, there had been no serious effort to bridge the gap between the two communities instead, the Indian polity adopted a policy of appeasement to garner minority support, ignoring the majority sentiments. 

Mosque in 'Bara Imambara'.
Photo by the author

The psyche that the two communities were poles apart is rearing its ferocious head once again. It suits the parochial agenda for votes. Communal frenzies were used to terrify the minority Muslim community and hate-mongering against the majority Hindu population. This is the gravest fallout of the electoral politics in India that acts as a fertilizer, augmenting the harmful weeds and choking the healthy growth. No wonder why a section of politicians is seen involved in encouraging, pampering and appeasing a section of society. This has helped the hardening of their approach and therefore, the minorities become aggressively defensive to protect their ‘right’. 

The political parties, self-proclaimed champions of human rights, leftists and liberals were mum on the unfortunate happenings at the time riots erupted. However, they sprang to action and started howling the moment houses started bulldozing. It all started when in Jahangirpuri of Delhi, slated to be cleared of heavy encroachment, authorities started demolishing illegal constructions and encroachments. Ironically, they were seen crying hoarse in favour of those who were found guilty of illegal construction and encroachments. Confabulations started on the legality of the action. The questions were being asked about the rule of law and the law of the land. The justification was sought for the validity of the government’s action. Victim cards were played, portraying the guilties as poor and oppressed. The ‘progressives’ rushed to the Supreme Court to stop the demolition drive and the Hon'ble Court did not disappoint them. Within no time the stay was granted and the work had to be stopped.

The government’s action may seem arbitrary and ruthless but it needs to be seen from the proper perspective as well. Communal violence is a blot on a civilized society that adversely affects the social fabric and economic activities. The threads of the working class and the traders are intertwined. They work together and live together. The daily wages are the lifeline of the working class while on the other hand, the traders need a regular supply of products. In such a condition, common people do not like to be involved in rioting. Despite this, the riots are an ugly reality. In a written reply to a question, the government told the parliament that 3400 riots took place in the country from 2016 to 2020 (Click here for details). Besides causing loss of life and property, the riots leave a trail of destruction and damage in terms of harmony, social relations and mutual trust. The causes of conflagrations need serious cogitation.

Imposing dome of Council House, UP
Photo: by author

The democratic setup in India is leaned heavily on the arithmetics of votes. The public vote count determines the fate of a party or a candidate. During the 2019 general elections, out of ninety-one crore twenty lakh eligible voters, 67% cast their votes. The huge voter turnout lures the political parties to attract voters in their favour. Religion, community, caste and creed are used to garner support. Polarized minority votes have attracted politicians for a long. It has been the decisive factor to win an election. A fragmented society thus becomes a philosopher’s stone, a dire necessity for parochial political gains. Suspicion, mistrust and terror are the building blocks of communal frenzy. An unseen but effective system has sprung up to operate, rule and mastermind the communal frenzy. It is terrifying and damaging to society.

Instead of canvassing about the developmental work and assurance about the future, the thrust on divisive politics appears more convenient to political parties, hence division and conflagrations. A ‘philosopher-king’ is a utopia and absolute is impossible. Good and bad, evil and virtue are the two aspects of the same coin. A good balance is a need for time to have a healthy and sustainable society with minimal outlaws.

Lotus flower
Photo: by author

 

Social Media: Boon or Bane

Recently, Social Media attracted eyeballs. The alleged biased attitude of Facebook, famous social networking site was in the eyes of the storm. The government was charged for ostensibly misusing the platform for their selfish motive. The issue raised a furore. Government and the ruling party were under heavy shelling of opposition. Heated arguments and counter-arguments put forth about the Social Media platform. Ironically, the mainstream media which obtain their substantial quota of scoops from Social Media were the front-runners in the race of scathing.  

The present time is an era of information. The society is running on information superhighway wherein delivering and receiving contents is fast, secure and on a real-time basis.  It has opened up an entirely new vista. Like Hide Park of England, it is a platform where anyone can vent out oneself. Till recently unaccustomed to such freedom, people seem bewildered and startled. Know not how to use it effectively, they are experimenting in rather a different way. More often than not, people are using the new technology ludicrously not the way it should be. Though misused, social media has helped to unearth many hitherto unknown facts.

With computers getting smaller, lighter, powerful and easy to carry the content production, their upload and retrieval have also become fast and convenient. The Smart-phone technology has augmented the spread of Social Media by shortening the cumbersome process of content creation, processing and transmission to a great extent. The reduced data cost has added its share in the exponential growth of Social Media Platform. 

Social media has emerged as a powerful tool. With the army of individual users, it becomes all the more powerful. It helps to reach a large number of audiences and affect their viewpoints. Political parties use it for canvassing and proliferation of their ideas. Various media houses find it easy to promote their medium and get large viewership. In the recent past, it was grossly misused for rumour and hate-mongering to disrupt public order and creating anarchy as well. Albeit it is difficult to ignore the ever-evolving social media platform, but it needs to be regulated by law. 

A convoluted society like ours is a motley aggregation of people where every individual has something to say. Asking questions is the key to a free and frank society where every citizen has the right to express their views guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and Section 10 of The Human Rights Act 1998. People, however, tend to thrust their views onto others which culminates in a heated discussion. Such is the hardening of attitude that they behave like a bigot and intolerant. To make an argument heavy(?), use of abusive language is becoming frequent. It is unacceptable in a civilized society. However, it is not only so-called Social Media which is to be blamed, increased acrimony and use of choicest words on TV debates are also gaining currency. Unexpectedly, TV channels promote filthy languages and loose-talks apparently for their TRPs. The deterioration in quality is frequent and rampant. 

A healthy discussion is an indication of sound knowledge, and a deep understanding of the topic panellists have. It is, therefore, imperative that the participants adhere to those qualities. Lopsided and unfounded arguments cause infuriation. At times during the discussion, commotion and a tug-of-war like situation occur among the panellists. Nevertheless, it does not give a person to use offensive language. The discussions would be decent and fruitful only when the arguments are courteously put forth, respecting sentiments of all. Contrarily, a steep decline in the quality of debates on TV and social media platform is becoming recurrent. It affects daily lives as well. 

The growing resentment against the social media platform is because of the increasing verbal duets, use of abusive language and unwillingness of participants for a mic drop.  People are part of society. The individual behaviour affects society in general. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the individual to use this technology judiciously. With logical concept-formation buttressed by reasoning and observing restrain, the use of social media can be made more effective. 

Blazing Saga of Success: India, Years after Independence

The nation celebrated its 74th independence day. The celebrations took us back in a time of euphoria. For people born post-independence, especially in the seventies and after, it is a matter of imagination. The period happened to be laden with the fervour of festivity and expression of ecstasy which would come from within hearts. The school children in uniforms would circumambulate city roads holding the national flag, raising slogans and singing patriotic songs. After the culmination of flag hosting, sweetmeats were distributed. 

Three-fourth of a century has passed since 'WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA' attained freedom after years of strife and supreme sacrifices of illustrious freedom-fighters and people. The journey all through had been an arduous one. Newly liberated but vivisected and bleeding nation was passing through traumatic times. Post-partition exodus had changed many things. Looted and dejected, the desperate victims of communal frenzy continuously poured in. Confidence building among people and rehabilitation of refugees were of utmost importance. The country had to be rebuild. Since then, we have come a long way. Constitution was adopted; paired with a robust system of governance the country staggeringly rose, started a journey on the path of progress. During the difficult times when the nation was rising, the hostile neighbours back-stabbed and thrust five wars. 

Despite all odds, people took up the daunting task of rebuilding a new nation with firm resolve, commitment and missionary zeal. The path was rough and the journey arduous. The journey started with initial hiccups. Initially, the pace of development was neither fast nor was focussed because of the feeble governments, unable to take tough decisions. The rampant corruption caused delayed completion of the projects with sub-standard results. A large number of villages were unelectrified and devoid of basic amenities like clean drinking water, health and sanitation. Infrastructure development was equal to nothing. The loopholes have now been plugged and the lethargic system revamped. 

Despite all odds, however, we have come to the point of take-off. Speaking from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th August 2020, Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi said that there was a need to give a new direction to the overall infrastructure development of the country. He emphasized the importance of breaking the era of "working in silos".

Villages are now clean and uncluttered with CC drains, roads, sanitation and toilets. The fruit of technologies is reaching rural areas that are being connected with optical fibre networks to augment the use of information and computer technology. Prime Minister Modi laid the aim of connecting six lakh villages with the optical fibre network within 1000 days. Farmers are now becoming more self-reliant; getting appropriate returns of their produce. Rural poor womenfolks have been provided with gas connections and burners to cook food in a healthy environment with ease.

Defence forces are getting modern warfare, ammunitions and communication networks. In sharp contrast to the time of 1962 when the Bravehearts fought with bare minimum amenities and outdated weapons on high altitude under frigid conditions, the adequately equipped armed forces are on guard, face to face with the enemy at LAC and LOC. The borders, under the able surveillance of alert security forces and army, are now safe. Efficacious patrolling has significantly contained infiltration and aggression. The perpetrators of terrorism have been cornered and befittingly replied. Bharat, now a self-sustaining and powerful nation, is being viewed with respect all over the world. The hostile neighbours with the expansionist ideology, have realized it thoroughly. 

With a whooping139 crores population, India is the second most populous and seventh-largest country is the world's largest democracy. Blessed with lingual diversity, customs and cultures, India is one from length and breadth. A firm believer in democratic values, people tend to resolve differences and intricate problems through dialogues under the framework of the Constitution. Momentous and historical decisions, taken in the recent past, testify to the maturity of people. Abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A pertaining to Jammu&Kashmir and Ladakh. Albeit an integral part of India, there were serious discrepancies. The state was divided into two separate areas declaring them Union Territories simultaneous to abrogation. Terror funding by Pakistan has effectively been curtailed and till now the terror-ridden area is fast returning to normalcy. 

With such a vast geographical area and huge but creative population problems are intrinsic. The state that reeled under terrorism and anarchy has to be brought back to normalcy. The present government is addressing issues with utmost care as per law and norms. The opposition is a crucial component in a democratic setup. Constructive opposition is a linchpin of the system which helps in steering the government to move in a proper direction. It not only points out the flaws of government and criticizes it but suggests means as well. It is incumbent upon them to maintain dignity and keep the national interest in mind while doing so. The opposition loses its sheen when to remain in the limelight for parochial gains, it starts aimless scathing without suggesting healthy means and considering the facts. It amounts to befooling people. A balance ought to be maintained for a healthy democracy to flourish. It will help in the speedy development process.   

Pandemic Coronavirus, Lockdown and Exodus

Penniless, without food and means with their fatigued children in their laps or shoulders, they were not passeggiating but sauntering for survival. Rustic men, women and children were seen walking en masse on the highways. Stupefied but determined, they had a sole aim in their minds. They wanted to reach home in their villages far away from their workplaces where they had come to earn a livelihood. 

Soon after the lockdown was enforced in wake of Coronavirus pandemic, panic gripped the migratory population of labourers. Their jobs were lost and livelihood had gone. It is the class of people who earn their bread daily. Losing jobs meant a lot; it left them in a lurch. Caught in a piquant situation, they had to choose between the devil and the deep sea. In the crisis, employers abandoned them. They were sacked as there was no work for them. Left with no succedaneum, they decided to return to their home. It was spontaneous. Rumours fuelled the fear for their lives and uncertainty of the future. Parochial motives of local politics catalyzed the fear. Unexpected hostile conditions forced them to return. The result first came in the form of large aggregation in Anand Vihar at New Delhi. It was followed by several other such occurrences which soon became torrent. 

Millions of poor people, mainly from Hindi heartland Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, migrate to other states in search of jobs and a better future. These are the rainfed areas with agriculture as the prime occupation. Reeling under severe conditions, low income, high crime rate and caste discrimination, the Hindi heartland could provide them with no better future. Once known for industries and hub of handicrafts, the state of Uttar Pradesh gradually slipped to oblivion. Districts like Jagdeeshpur, Kanpur, Meerut, Aligarh lost their industries. The large workforce became unemployed. The constricting land holdings, uncertain weather, perennial floods, local conditions and lack of alternate job opportunities compounded the problems and force the youths to migrate. Leaving their families behind, the people travelled thousands of kilometres to states like Maharastra, Gujrat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. 

The migrant workers, mostly unskilled, constitute an easy and cheap labour force. Primarily they are employed in sectors like construction, transport, brick kilns and small satellite industrial units on a casual basis. In the hope of sending a substantial amount to their homes, they tend to spend less; work in tiring conditions and live in shades near their workplace. Devoid of any government-run provision store they use to take necessary groceries from local shops. Supposed ‘Truncus Aorta’ of the economy, these hardworking people suffer a lot because of their exploitation. The absence of effective legislation convoluted the situation and compounded the woes of the unorganised migrant workforce who are subjected to enslavement and low wages. Though to safeguard the interests of migrant workers ‘Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979’ was passed and enacted but in all practicality, the Act is defunct and not being observed. Their hesitance to remain there and eagerness to leave their workplace permanently would create a void which may hamper the pace of economy of the place/state they were in. The readiness of the respective home state governments to accept their people with work would lead to a paradigm shift. Politicos of states like Maharastra may feel the brunt whose parochial engine was powered by the fuel of regional hatred, hostility and abusive behaviour. The opposition of exodus was also reported. 

The lockdown taught them a harsh lesson. They did not grumble nor had any complaints. They simply wanted to reach their homes which only could provide them shelter, food, security and emotional support. Without caring for their safety, food requirements and long distances they peregrinate with headloads and infants tucked in their laps. To ease and help the moving migrants, people from all walks of life came forward. Cooked food and shelter were provided to them on their way. It is heartening that the central government, in consultation with state governments, took steps which helped migratory labourers reaching their homes. ‘Shramik Special’ trains were started. Under strict ‘Social Distancing’ norms, the labourers were transported to the stations near to their homes. The government categorically made it clear that the labourers need not pay for their journey. The expenditure was borne by the central and state governments on a sharing basis; 85 per cent of the expenditure was to be borne by the central government while 15 per cent by the respective state governments. 

The respective home states chalked out a system to provide them with a job. In Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi government worked on it. An action plan was formulated in this direction. Talking to ‘The New Indian Express’ (03-May-2020) Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Aditya Nath expressed confidence and said, “Today, we are in a position to provide immediate employment to 15 lakh people in the state and it is the responsibility of my government to provide them jobs.” Answering a question he further said, “We do have a challenge in hand but there are options galore. At present, we have made doorstep delivery arrangements all over the state during the lockdown. Through this, we have provided direct and indirect employment to more than 1.5 lakh people. MNREGA, MSME, ODOP (one district one product) and voluntary organizations are options through which we will give employment to them.” (Complete interview can be read here.) These steps augmented the morale of workers of the state who hope to get work in their state. 

 

Coronavirus pandemic is a menace. The number of corona cases is still on the rise. As of now, 1532135 coronavirus cases and 34224 deaths have been reported in India. This is harrowing. The curative/preventive drug/shot has yet to be evolved. The work is on. Some countries have progressed considerably in this direction. Working on monoclonal technique, Israel has claimed that they are testing the evolved vaccine on rodents. However, it is a time taking process. Until then, ‘Social Distancing’ through lockdown is the only effective weapon to fight Coronavirus pandemic. However, it has its limitation. The country is under lockdown since 25-March-2020. The halted economic activities pushed the system to the brink. Governments are running out of funds. With halted revenue generation the state governments find it difficult to pay salaries to their staff and run machinery. Urging the central government to relax lockdown, Delhi Chief Minister Mr Arvind Kejariwal had opined that Coronavirus was going to stay and we should learn to live with it. The recent relaxation on liquor sale was a means to generate revenue, though the step received criticism all over the country. The ugly scene on hooch shops and the public behaviour was pathetic. The norm of ‘Social Distancing’ was seriously flouted. The police had to intervene and even the liquor sale was closed down.

The lockdown, though is an effective means to break the chain of Corona spread, cannot be imposed for long. The government has phasically lifted it and a large number of movements and commercial activities have been allowed, with some restrictions albeit.

The days are difficult but, hopefully, things would turn out better. The battle against Coronavirus is still on. Care and caution are effective weapons to combat the dreaded enemy. Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi has cautioned the people time and again to observe the cautions. Appealing the people to put on masks when in public places he emphasised to avoid crowds and maintain distance. He urged to remember Corona warriors who used to put on masks for long hours in case we long to take it out in his recent 'Man Ki Baat' program. As of now, it is the only way out. India, hopefully, would have a vaccine in a few months. The public trial of the vaccine has been started. By that time, it is incumbent upon the people to observe the norms and care.

War against Corona-virus Covid-19: United We Stand.

It is painful to see Coronavirus cases on the rise. The pandemic Covid19 is gripping the nation in its cold, callous and horrid fists; fast pushing towards difficult - very difficult - times. The government albeit is putting great effort to combat this menace but the rising figures of infected, affected and dead point toward the non-cooperation of some groups of people who regrettably want to see government failing. People are the better judge to decide if it is good for society and the nation. Judging the cunning acts verses bonafide efforts are not tricky.

The incidence which convoluted whole thing was the irresponsible and vicious acts of a section of society who congregated for a religious function, flouting the norms and prohibitory orders of the government. The motley gathering, included foreign nationals as well, was found carrying deadly virus infection with them. The repeated appeals by the authorities fell in the deaf ear; they played hide-and-seek. Taking refuge in religious places of worship and mixing with people, they caused the virus outbreak. As if it was not enough; they spat, littered, made obscene gestures and manhandled medical/paramedical staff. The number of virus cases spiked up sharply. 

The inhuman act is against religion which can never be against humanity. The scornful acts of spitting, pissing, littering and manhandling the staff is serious and deplorable. Those who are trying to paint it with communal colours are seriously on the wrong side. They are seen vivisecting the society on religious ground. It not only weakens the steps taken but also harm the country. The pandemic does not spare anyone based on religion, caste and creed. 

The current lockdown period is about to end. State governments of the country have unanimously underlined the importance of lockdown in fighting the dreaded enemy and favoured to extend it further. It may be frightening for few 'fashionables' but in the larger interest of the country and the wellbeing of compatriots, such hard steps are the need of time. Addressing to the State Chief Ministers of the country through video-conferencing on 11-April-2020, PM Sri Narendra Modi, laying stress on 'Life and Wellbeing', said that for a brighter tomorrow and healthy & prosperous India action should be mooted on the line of 'Jaan Bhi Jahaan Bhi'. He appealed every citizen to follow the lockdown religiously for the betterment of all. Government's relentless action to combat the menace is appreciable. It is being acknowledged and lauded world-over.

Despite sincere efforts and people's cooperation, stray visuals of flouting the lockdown by some on TV is a cause of concern. In the absence of drugs/shots, its spread can effectively be contained by social-distancing and complete lockdown. Other things like economic slowdown and socializing can take back seat for a moment, though, cannot be ignored for long. The adverse effects of the pandemic on the economy are well known. The wages are yet another big problem which may cause job insecurity and slowdown. PM has rightly said 'Jaan Bhi Jahaan Bhi'. Working on it, the war against Coronavirus is being fought on various fronts. Long lockdown period may be becoming monotonous, people might be feeling caged but the fire within is on. The government is taking effective steps to tackle it. It is heartening that people are positive.

With united and concerted efforts the difficult time is bound to pass and humanity will come out victorious.