Covid-19: National lockdown or political brain freeze?

Andhey ka Andherein Mein Badi Door ki Soojhi – A blind man in dark takes a long shot. Here ‘blind’ does not mean visually handicapped but those who are blinded by power, vanity, by glare of wealth, fame and selfishness or those who close their eyes out of fear. The ‘darkness’ in the room is the ignorance and lack of awareness and understanding and flinching in fear like a frightened child hiding under the blanket. The ‘long shot’ is the kneejerk reaction of flailing at the windmill or running away when taken by surprise.

Novel corona aka COVID-19 is really novel in the sense that nobody knew about it three months ago and it has become famous and notorious only in the last three weeks. No one really understands it. No serious or deep research has been carried out. All the experts and advisors are like wise men with blindfold on their eyes touching different body parts of an elephant and describing it differently. Those near feet feel it is like a pole and those near the tail feel it is like a broom, the people touching the ear think it is a like a fan and so on.

The common factors in all the descriptions are

1) It is a deadly pandemic. 

2) There is no known cure or medicine.

3) Some people are creating a fear psychosis for political gain.

It is said that the true character of a person is tested and comes to surface during the time of adversity. London and even whole of the United Kingdom is under a lockdown still, some reckless and rebellious citizens dared to move out and exercise, stroll and assemble in public places and parks. Police in order to deter and disperse are making announcements and requesting the delinquents to disperse and go home. 

However, in our great country the powers that be, flush with recent success is crushing public protest by brute police force have let loose the man in khaki with the lathi to publicly and ruthlessly beat the stray citizens who dared to move on the roads and give them corporal punishment without the authority of law. It is not clear whether it is police raj or martial law. This is expected of and in character of a person who has been brought up (intellectually) in an organisation where lathi fighting is a part of the cultural training. The government is even implementing its political agenda in the garb of novel corona lockout by crushing peaceful protests and civil disobedience movements like Shaheen Bagh. For the dictatorial mindset COVID-19 is godsend.

The diagnosis of the problem, assessment of the danger and prescription as to how to handle the pandemic calamity also differs from politician to politician and country to country. Quarantine, isolation and separation are time-tested methods of containing and controlling contagious diseases like pox and TB. Social distancing is the new buzzword but not a new idea. Keeping safe distance is an old Indian practice. It is known as “chhuachhot” or untouchability. It is a basic tenet of the Indian culture. The idea being cleanliness can be contaminated by coming in contact. The extent of social distancing and its practice differs from society to society.

In our country there is fear psychosis – everyone is a carrier and source of infection, at the same time everyone is in the danger of getting infected. The simple solution is to put each and every citizen under house arrest. On the other hand Pradhanji’s buddy Doland Trump sees it as an economic crisis. Instead of universal lockdown, the movements are restricted only in affected areas for infected population. On the other hand funds and schemes are being created to revive the economy.

India is an agriculture dominant nation and ox and buffalo are prize possessions in rural society. There are two apt saying, First, “Jiski lathi uski bhains” meaning one who wields the lathi owns the buffalo and the second “Akal Badi ki Bhains?” meaning which is more important the brain or buffalo? Those who prefer lathi over persuasion are in the driving seat today. “Gayi Bhains pani mein” – all is lost, alas!