Lockdown? Hundreds In Karnataka Gather For Religious Festival In A COVID-19 Hotspot

India is in lockdown due to COVID-19 and while going out people need to follow social distancing. This is not the case in some parts. A few days ago in Tamil Nadu, hundreds gather for the funeral of a bull. And now in Karnataka, hundreds gather for a religious festival at a hotspot.

Around 100-150 members ‘participated in the Siddhalingeswara temple chariot festival in Chitapur village on Thursday. Kalaburagi is a coronavirus hotspot in Karnataka. The district has witnessed three COVID-19 related deaths. Kalaburagi has witnessed the first causality in the country.

#Karnataka | People in large numbers today participated in a religious festival in Chitapur, Kalaburagi district, amid lockdown to contain #COVId19 transmission.#CoronavirusPandemic #KarnatakaFightsCorona #CoronavirusLockdown #StayHomeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/BqSzpJ418s

— First India (@thefirstindia) April 16, 2020

On April 16th morning, 100-150 members came out of their house violating the lockdown rules. People gathered near Siddalingeshwara temple for about 20 minutes and took part in chariot pulling procession.

Police have registered the case against 20 people and others being identifies. The investigation is underway. A sub-inspector is suspended.

Today 6.30am,100-150 people had come near Siddalingeshwara temple for abt 20mintues&took part in chariot pulling procession. Case registered against those people (20 named&others being identified) for violation of lockdown rules. A sub-inspector has been suspended: SP Kalaburagi pic.twitter.com/jPossiUXIE

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2020

The citizens of the country need to cooperate with the police and follow the lockdown rules. People collectively need to understand the severe consequences of COVID-19. Looking at the country’s population, this type of negligence might result in significant destruction.