13 cases, 2 deaths: Was LU event a ‘super-spreader’?

Lucknow: Was the inauguration ceremony of the new building of Lucknow University’s Abhinavagupt Institute of Aesthetics and Shaiva Philosophy, followed by a seminar on March 23 and 24, a Covid-19 super-spreader event?
Soon after the event, 13 participants –10 serving and two retired LU teachers, and the principal of a degree college in Lakhimpur Kheri – tested positive.Of these, a serving and a retired professor (Prof BK Shukla and Prof Ashok Kalia) have died, while the condition of three is critical.
There are reports that several other participants from Delhi and Meerut have tested positive.
Prof Shukla was the head of LU’s Sanskrit department and the institute, besides dean of Arts faculty, while Prof Kalia was the former head of LU’s Sanskrit department and former vice-chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. Both were renowned Sanskrit scholars. Prof Kalia was also a Padma Shri awardee.
Among those critical and in ICU include a retired Sanskrit professor and his wife (under treatment at a hospital in Delhi), and a professor in philosophy department, who is on a ventilator.
A professor said the permission for such an event was granted by the proctor office, superintendent of works and vice-chancellor.
“You cannot hold teachers or Sanskrit department staff responsible. They had already invited limited number of participants in view of Covid-19 pandemic. The primary task of teachers was to coordinate guest lists and academic activities. Implementation and supervision of safety protocol is the responsibility of LU administration. Such events are being held in many universities and it’s their officers who ensure precautions,” said a senior professor in Arts faculty.
Denying negligence, LU VC Prof AK Rai said, “It’s wrong to single out an event for Covid spread on the campus. Several other teachers and non-teaching staff who had not attended the event have also been infected during the recent surge. Usually, organizers ensure Covid protocol during such events but more people came for the event due to the presence of eminent guests.