Eclipse chokes civic water supply in Malda

Malda: Solar eclipse-fuelled superstition halted water supply in two Trinamool-run municipalities of Malda district on Sunday, a move that found support even among the opposition.
On Saturday night, English Bazar Municipality decided to stop drinking water supply during the annular solar eclipse and to resume it after, so that people could take a bath after the celestial phenomenon was over.Accordingly, a notice was issued reading “drinking water will be supplied by municipal water supply deptt on 21.06.20 at 6.00 AM to 8.30 AM and 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM due to solar eclipse”. The 9am-11am supply was suspended.
Justifying the decision, chairman-cum-administrator Nihar Ghosh said: “People believe in the evil spell during solar eclipse and have a shower after eclipse is over. They do not have a meal even during this time. We have just honoured people’s decision.” He added: “The civic body always looks to people’s sentiments and supplies water for longer during Eid or other religious festivals. So what is wrong with today’s decision?”
Trinamool-led Old Malda Municipality too suspended water supply from 12 noon to 2pm.
Science organizations such as Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha condemned the move. Malda unit’s secretary Sunil Das said: “The municipality is encouraging superstition. With progress of science, we have to dispel such beliefs. We even arranged for students to watch the eclipse through special glasses. There, we distributed snacks during eclipse to show that no harm would be done. But the municipality has justified such superstitions with its decision.”
The Trinamool-led board, however, got support from BJP. Party district leader Ajoy Ganguly said: “It was our demand, and the board has done the right thing by suspending water supply during the eclipse.”