Breaking of Lockdown Measures: Different Yardsticks for Vvips

• That the entire country is reeling under the impact of enforced lockdown measures is not only stating the obvious but also reiterating the pledge by accepting the diktat with a pinch of salt as any law-abiding citizen is expected to do. Umpteen instances reported in the print as well as electronic media have gone viral wherein visuals of police wielding batons on ordinary citizens for breaking the lockdown measures by not staying put in respective homes as also failing to adhere social distancing.

PC: Amit Dave

• Visuals of police forcing people – venturing out without valid reasons – to do squatting, sweeping and yoga/exercises too have gone viral. Agreed, such policing is indeed necessitated in a country with such diverse strata and population density for there are any number of citizens hell-bent on breaking the order. Otherwise, the situation on the ground by now would have spiraled out of control leading to similar catastrophe being witnessed elsewhere around the globe.

PC: Financial Express

• Our country is also notoriously known to embrace ‘jugaad’ (resourceful approach to problem-solving as per the dictionary) during normal times. No prize for guessing what happens during crises. Outcome is quite customary for us what with many managing to break the lockdown nonchalantly and also browbeating the system so effortlessly through ingenious ways. Less said the better about the upper echelons of the society – known as VVIPs – who have mastered the art of jugaad so profitably that comes so handy to brandish during the present situation.

PC: NewYork Post

• Question to contemplate here is why different yardsticks are adopted whilst dealing with VVIPs as against common citizenry. In spite of standing instructions to restrict social gathering to not more than 5 during marriage ceremonies if it’s unavoidable in the first place, a powerful political family goes about holding the nuptial of heir apparent brazenly defying the guidelines with outright impunity. This happened after the family’s assurances which is on record. Missing masks and the absence of social distancing were captured on cameras in the instant case.
• On questioning, government representatives have come out with usual exclamations of obtaining reports from the concerned authorities and initiate suitable actions as applicable. Now, we are not so naïve anymore to comprehend what such statements actually mean. Obviously, the issue will be allowed to die a natural death when dust settles down. Disquietingly, numerous families have either postponed, cancelled and/or put-on-hold similar ceremonies bowing to lockdown guidelines as dutiful citizens.
• Why should ‘lesser families’ be not allowed to undertake scheduled ceremonies? Will the authorities turn blind eyes or look other way as well? NO. Would eagerly await the response of ‘powers that be’ from a political party that prides itself as a party with a difference.