The Covid-19 has caused a massive disruption in our lives. In response to the pandemic crisis, Governments across the globe have imposed social distancing norms like closing of businesses, educational institutions, places of worship and other venues which attract large gatherings. Religion was a heavily discussed topic, often presented in a negative light, on every news portal, in the early days of reporting on the pandemic. In India, the gathering of Tablighi Jamaat in New Delhi in April, was linked to almost 30% of known cases in the country.
At that time, out of the 14,000 cases, more than 4,000 positive cases were linked to the congregation, affecting multiple States such as Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Similarly in South Korea, 5,080 positive cases were attributed to a gathering at a church in the city of Daegu. I understand that religion plays an important role in preserving our culture, especially in a tradition bound society like India. But, surely the lives of people are more important. The gatherings in Delhi and South Korea are a few examples of what can happen if we ignore the gravity of the situation and the caution it demands. Other gatherings like sporting events and concerts were cancelled as well. Therefore, in the interest of public health it made sense to limit large gatherings. Worship is not the only religious activity out there.
Our beliefs comprise other religious rituals, like caring for the sick and performing death and burial rites. Often, religious groups are also involved in charity work. Treating the dead with dignity and providing essential services like child care and relief from hunger are some important aspects of religion that are deeply embedded in many traditions.
Festivals too play an important role in expressing our culture and tradition. In these dark times, celebration of festivals could have been seen as a beacon of light, unfortunately social distancing does not allow collective celebration of life. The pandemic has led to an interruption in our socio-cultural lives which are enriched by festivals and cultural events. Events which allow us to mingle with each other and celebrate together. In Kerala, people were unable to celebrate Thrissur Pooram, one of the largest festivals of the State. Our muslim friends too were unable to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr which usually involves family get-togethers and lavish feasts after dawn. Instead, this year Eid was only celebrated at home with immediate family, with the virus dampening the holiday spirit. Odisha also saw its share of subdued festive celebrations.
The annual Chandan Yatra and Akshaya Tritiya were held inside the temple premises minus the devotees. The two festivals are important as they mark the beginning of preparations for Jagannath Rath Yatra which too was done as a low key affair with no public, just the Pandas.
As part of a tight knit religious community, it has been very difficult to not be able to hug and greet our loved ones, but this is the only choice to help contain the spread of this deadly virus. We are willing to put up with the milder disruptions in social, religious and cultural life to avoid a major catastrophe. We are simply living in a situation where visiting places of worship on festival is not a safe option. It is heartening to see that religious leaders across the world are spreading the message of solidarity and are providing the guidance required to regulate the modes of worship in light of the present circumstances.
For now, the spirit of religious sanctity can be preserved in our hearts and homes. After all, what we pray for is a world that is healthy for us and for all of humanity. However, the need for vigilance is paramount as there is more distance to cover. This is a moment where we stand united. We come together in spirit to render help whenever required while distancing ourselves physically to maintain safety. This is how we rediscover the true meaning of central religious tenets. Amidst the agony that we continue to endure, let us find comfort in the fact that God has given us this life and continue to have a positive mindset, enabling us to overcome the challenge we face. The Covid - 19 is after all emblematic of solidarity in isolation.
(Dr Samanta is MP, Kandhamal, and founder, KIIT & KISS)