Kolkata (West Bengal): West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's comments that called for "sending coronavirus to isolation" during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities, has received sharp criticism from opposition leaders and a section of the medical fraternity, who feel that such remarks will encourage people to show disregard towards protocols.
Opposition leaders and doctors feared that carelessness could result in another wave of the pandemic after the festive season.
Slamming Mamata, CPI(M) leader Dr Fuad Halim said that such a comment is not only unscientific but also grossly irresponsible.
"Ïn the past we have seen how the number of affected persons increased after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Many priests of Tirupati temple have been reported to be affected by COVID-19. And now the chief minister is indirectly encouraging people to disobey health protocols following which there will be another wave of pandemic after the festival," Fuad said.
Echoing similar views, Congress leader Dr Tapas Francis Biswas cited the example of Kerala, claiming that the state witnessed a massive spike in COVID cases post Onam festivities.
"Ïn such a situation, such a comment from the chief minister is really unscientific. I will request the chief minister not to be complacent. I will also request her to ensure that the money allocated to the Puja committees should be utilised for masks and sanitisers," Biswas said.
Read: West Bengal CM announces guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations
Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said that it is desirable that this time the people "perform Puja" rather than "celebrate" it.
"If we just perform Puja this time, by the blessings of Goddess Durga, we will be relieved from the pandemic. It is a matter of concern that the chief minister is calling for celebration this year. Previously we could not celebrate festivals like Ramnavami or Muharram. We could not even celebrate Holi this year," Ghosh said.
Meanwhile, members of Joint Platform of Doctors, in their letter to Banerjee, referred to the steep rise in coronavirus cases in Kerala after the recent Onam festival, urged her to take stricter measures to restrict public gathering during Durga puja, as it might "lead to a tsunami" of infections.
Earlier on September 24, the Chief Minister announced guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations and said that organising cultural programmes at pandals will not be allowed. She also said that as many as 80,000 hawkers will receive a one-time grant ahead of the Puja.
Read: Don't let COVID-19 dampen festive spirit: Mamata on Mahalaya
