GANDHINAGAR: A viral video of a well-attended engagement party thrown by a BJP legislator has drawn the displeasure of the Gujarat High Court.
The video shows a large gathering of people gathered at an open ground with no regard for social distancing protocol that has become a rule during the raging coronavirus pandemic. The event is believed to have been hosted by BJP legislator Kanti Gamit for his grandson’s engagement party, IANS said in a report.
During a suo motu hearing on coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent state of lockdown on Wednesday, the Gujarat High Court wanted to know what the state government was doing about the event.
“This is shocking and unfortunate. What was the police doing when such a large gathering occurred? We are not at all satisfied with the way the government has handled the situation. Incidents like this make all your efforts till now meaningless,” a Bench of Chief Justice Vikramnath and Justice JB Pardiwala said.
The bench of Chief Justice Vikramnath and Justice JB Pardiwala also told the state government to issue a notification to make those not wearing face masks to perform community services at Covid care centres for five to 15 days apart from fine of Rs 1,000.
The high court had last week suggested to the government that as the people were not heeding to the warning of fines, there was need to make them serve at Covid care centres for eight to 10 days in addition to levy of fines so that they understood the gravity of the pandemic.
Advocate General Kamal Trivedi, appearing for the Gujarat government on Tuesday, had said that the state was unable to act on the HC suggestion and sought another week’s time to decide on the issue.
But the HC refused to give more time and gave the order on Wednesday.
According to the High Court’s suggestion, persons not wearing masks in public shall be asked to perform community services at Covid care centres in the state for 5 to 15 days, at least 4 to 6 hours daily.
The community service shall be of non-medical nature like cleaning, housekeeping, help in cooking and serving food, data preparation etc.