Exemption on Bakrid in Kerala: IMA warns, Singhvi said – If Kanwar Yatra is wrong, then why the relaxation here?

The government has relaxed the restrictions related to Kovid-19 in Kerala in view of Bakrid festival on July 21. Opposition parties Congress and Indian Medical Association (IMA) have criticized the decision. The IMA has warned of a legal challenge to the government’s decision.

Congress national spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi tweeted that if Kanwar Yatra is wrong, then it is also wrong to relax restrictions on Bakrid. Especially in a state which is currently among the centers of Kovid-19.

He tweeted, “It is condemnable by the Kerala government to provide three days relaxation for Bakrid celebrations as the state is currently one of the centers of COVID-19. If the Kanwar Yatra is wrong, then it is also wrong to allow a public function on a goat.

At the same time, the IMA on Sunday urged the Kerala government to withdraw the decision, calling it unnecessary and unfair at the time of medical emergency. The apex doctors’ body said that if the Kerala government does not withdraw the decision, it will approach the Supreme Court.

The IMA in a statement here said that the IMA is saddened to see that amid the increase in cases, the Government of Kerala has issued an order to relax the lockdown in the state on the pretext of religious celebrations of Bakrid. This is unnecessary and inappropriate at this time of medical emergency.

Significantly, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced some relaxation in the restrictions related to Kovid. Announcing the relaxation at a press conference here, Vijayan said that in view of Bakrid, textile, footwear shops, jewellery, fancy stores, shops selling home appliances and electronic shops, repair shops of all kinds and essential items. Shops have been allowed to open in A, B, and C category areas from 7 am to 8 pm on July 18, 19 and 20.

He had said that these shops in D category areas would be allowed to open only on July 19. Areas where the infection rate is less than five percent are in category A, areas with five to ten percent infection are in category B, areas with 10 to 15 percent infection are in category C and areas with more than 15 percent infection are in category D.

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