No celebration of April festivities during lockdown: Govt tells states
The Union government has directed the states and union territories to strictly adhere to the ongoing 21-day lockdown and not permit any social or religious gathering and procession during the upcoming festivals.
The Union government has directed the states and union territories to strictly adhere to the ongoing 21-day lockdown and not permit any social or religious gathering and procession during the upcoming festivals.
The Union home ministry, in a communication on Friday (April 10), also said authorities must maintain appropriate vigil on social media against circulation of any objectionable content.
A number of festivals, including several related to the harvest season, are celebrated in the month of April. While Shab-e-Barat was on April 9, today is Good Friday. Baisakhi, Rongali Bihu, Vishu, Poila Boishakh, Puthandu, Maha Vishuba Sankranti, etc are celebrated this month.
In view of these festivals in April, the home ministry has directed all states and UTs to ensure a strict compliance of the lockdown measures to fight COVID-19 and not allow any social, religious gathering or procession, an official statement said.
In the communication, the home ministry has requested the states and UTs that for the attention of the public authorities, social and religious organisations and citizens, the respective provisions of the guidelines should be widely circulated.
It added for any violation of the lockdown measures, action under the relevant penal provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Indian Penal Code (IPC) should be taken by the law-enforcing agencies.
The consolidated guidelines on the lockdown measures to be taken by the ministries and departments of the government of India, states and Union territories for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country were notified by the home ministry on March 24, 25, 27, April 2 and 3.
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Clauses 9 and 10 of the consolidated guidelines state no religious congregation will be allowed without any exception and all social, cultural, religious functions and gatherings shall be barred.
The home ministry communicated to the states and UTs to inform the district authorities and field agencies about the specific prohibitions as mentioned in the consolidated guidelines on lockdown measures.
The district administrations should take all precautionary and preventive measures for the maintenance of law and order, peace and public tranquillity, the ministry said.
The 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
(With inputs from agencies)
