Hyderabad 20 July 2021
OPEN CALL TO HEALTH MINISTER OF TELANGANA(HEALTH PORTFOLIO WITH CHIEF MINISTER) TO STOP ALL MASS RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS – STOP EID CONGREGATION NAMAZ ON 21 JULY 2021 – AS PER MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE AND APPLICATION OF MIND.
Subject: STOP ALL PUBLIC RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS – STOP BAKRID EID CONGREGATION NAMAZ ON 21 JULY 2021 AS WAS DONE IN 2020 PANDEMIC – THERE IS WARNING OF A THIRD WAVE FROM TOP MEDICAL BODIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF INDIA/TELANGANA.
References:
1. The Hindu: IMA Concerned About Gatherings in Closed Spaces
2. Office of the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad city No. Tr.T4/1116/2021 dated 19-07-2021
With reference to the appeals from Director of Public Health, G Srinivasa Rao, and appeals of Indian Medical Association, Hyderabad, we urge the Health Minister of Telangana(portfolio held by Chief Minister of Telangana) to implement the scientific and medical advice of the Director of Public Health Telangana and Indian Medical Association, against closed-door settings such as cinema halls, air-conditioned dinings pubs/bars as well as against mass gatherings to be restricted for few more months.
It is shocking that the traffic diversions notification is issued by the Commissioner of Hyderabad police for Eid Congregation namaz on 21 July 2021, similar to pre-covid times in 2019 and before, much against the warnings and advisory of IMA Telangana and also the Director of public health.
It is also known to all of us about the cancellation of Kanwar Yatra by the Supreme Court. The scars of the disaster that befell the public of our country due to irresponsible permissions of Kumbh Mela and election rally gatherings are not to be forgotten. While trade business can and must be conducted with strict enforcement and advocacy of Covid-appropriate, religious gatherings and closed gatherings are not among essentials.
Just as Eid ul Azha(Bakrid) namaz of 2019 was conducted with the bare minimum in the masjid, while others were advised to offer namaz at homes, similarly, an urgent Notification should be released from the Health Department restricting all mass gatherings and closed gatherings, including the Eid Namaz congregation of 21 July 2021.
The trade and economic activity may continue with all Covid appropriate behaviour enforcement and advocacy, as a balance between lives and livelihoods, as there is huge suffering of lack of money to spend in people’s hands.
At a time when educational institutions are closed to classroom teaching, in spite of huge learning losses to crores of children, the unappropriate, unscientific, non-medical, and irresponsible conduct of the health minister of Telangana (Chief Minister of Telangana) to allow religious mass gatherings is highly condemned.
As per recent interviews of Pulmonologist Dean at ICMR and as per head of AIIMS New Delhi, the third wave can be avoided only if mass public gatherings do not take place. Otherwise, it is imminent. Further, it is told by them, that even a short period of attack of covid-19 can leave an irreversible impact on any organ of the body. Hence, saving life and life with health should be our only focus for Healthy India/Telangana/Hyderabad.
The day we are confident of allowing our children/students to schools/universities, subsequently, we can allow the closed and mass gatherings in a staggered manner.
The Eid Namaz congregation of 21 July 2021 may be cancelled in light of medical and scientific advice of IMA and Director of Public Health as also with the application of mind.
We also appeal to people to restrain themselves from mass public gatherings and mutually advise and counsel one another towards covid appropriate behavior of proper masking, hand washing, and physical distancing.
Best,
Dr Lubna Sarwath, State General Secretary, Socialist Party (India)
Janab Maqbool Ahmad, National President, United Citizens Forum
Mohtarma Nikhat Fatima, video journalist
