COVID 19 - PLACES OF WORSHIP COULD HAVE KEPT CLOSED FOR SOME MORE TIME

Opening of the places of worship seems to be a hurried decision. It is a joint decision taken by the central government, state government, political parties and almost all religious leaders. Whoever may be behind the decision, they have not given due consideration about the prevailing rate of upward numbers of Covid cases in the country as well as in the states. When the first lock down was declared on 24th March there were about 500 coronavirus cases in India and 105 in Kerala. Now, when the figures have reached 2,46,622 infections and 6,946 deaths in India and 1807 cases and 15 deaths in Kerala, lifting of the lock down appears to be a inconsistent one. It is rather a political decision than a religious demand. Those who want to retain the power, those want to get back the power and all those who want to get into the power have jointly taken this decision.

The so called faithful followers of every religion too wanted to tie down God in these buildings of worship. They could neither find God in their own houses nor in their own hearts. Those who cannot find God within themselves cannot find the Supreme One anywhere in the world. According to a report in The Economic Times, 'CMR study suggests 1 Covid patient can infect 406 people in 30 days in absence of self isolation.' On the one hand all together encourage personal isolation, on the other hand the same together encourage assembly of people. This is certainly a conflicting attitude. We should remember that there were allegation from many corners in US, Spain, UK etc that keeping the places of worship opened was one of the reasons for quick acceleration of Covid 19 cases in those countries.

If all concerned can talk one another and a take a joint decision to keep all the places of worship closed for some more time it will certainly help to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. If they all together take a positive decision God may not say no to it.

KV George

kvgeorgein@gmail.com