People throng temple to 'eradicate COVID', 46 held

Even as the entire country is grappling with the crisis of the second wave of the covid pandemic, Gujarat's Sanand city, saw thousands of women gathering to offer water at the Baliyadev Temple. When the video went viral, the administration swung into action and arrested at least 46 people for violations of covid norms.

Gandhinagar (Gujarat): At least 46 people have been arrested after a video of thousands of devotees gathering for a festival at the Baliyadev temple went viral on several social media platforms.

According to reports, thousands of devotees from Navapura and Nidhrada villages in Sanand Tehsil of Ahmedabad gathered at Baliyadev temple to fulfill their vow to the temple deity, thereby violating the current Covid guidelines of physical distancing and masks.

"All COVID-19 prevention norms were allegedly violated during the latest procession taken out in Raipur village of Gandhinagar on Wednesday," said Deputy Superintendent of Police M K Rana. Apart from the mass gathering, music was also being played by a DJ.

In a video that went viral on social media platforms on Thursday, around 100 men and women, many without masks, were seen participating in a procession in the village. While women were carrying water pots on their heads, several men were leading the procession while beating drums.

"After being alerted about the incident, we have arrested 46 men involved in taking out the procession, all the musical instruments were also seized, no permission was sought by anybody for this procession. The process of identifying the people involved is also underway. observing. Further investigation is carried out by Dabhoda PSI," he said.

What is popular belief?

According to village sources, people believe that the coronavirus pandemic had spread due to the curse of the diety Baliyadev. To propitiate the deity, people went to the temple and offered the deity holy water. People had gone to the temple in a procession in which a large number of women were seen carrying urns with water in them on their heads to be offered to the deity. The entire event was captured on video and posted on social media.

This is the second such incident in Gujarat

A similar incident took place at Navpura and Nidra villages of Sanand on May 3 in Ahmedabad where a large number of women carrying water pots on their heads took out a procession to a local temple, believing that pouring water on the temple would eradicate COVID-19. Police had arrested 23 people, including the village sarpanch, for organizing the event.

The Gujarat government has already imposed a ban on all kinds of gatherings in the state in the wake of a surge in coronavirus cases.