Social distancing: Business as usual for political leaders

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 20

SAD leader and Nakodar MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala has been asking those he is meeting to “Fateh Bulao” and say “Sat Sri Akal” with folded hands but to no avail.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia today distributed masks among citizens. In times of Covid-19, politicians themselves say citizens were yet to be made aware enough to do away with the ceremonial handshake. Across party lines, all politicians are meeting fellow men, residents and visitors just like routine and also attending bhog, weddings and other events, which they were called for.

While Wadala, on Thursday, attended a wedding in Phagwara where 400 people were present, Congress MLA Rajinder Beri is also busy holding meetings and attending to visitors at his office. Meanwhile, Hoshiarpur MP Som Parkash and Jalandhar MP Santokh Chauhdary remained busy with parliament proceedings. However, the leaders say they continue to spread awareness on Covid, aided with a supply of hand sanitisers. The only exception is Adampur SAD MLA Pawan Tinu, who has been staying at home for the past five days due to a fever and reduced platelet count.

“Its not Covid but I have to opt for social distancing,” he said.

On the official front, a group of SAD leaders cancelled their meeting on March 29 after passing a formal resolution on Covid to avoid formal gatherings. The district unit of the BJP has also reduced gatherings and meetings.

Wadala said: “I have been asking people to adopt the traditional practice of ‘Fateh Bulao’ and greet each other with a Sat Sri Akal with folded hands, but they don’t listen. I must have shaken so many hands at the wedding too. When people extend hands, you have to greet back. We can’t help it. We used up two bottles of sanitisers. I’ve kept sanitisers and soaps handy. I also head straight to the washbasin at houses where I enter. Visitors also keep insisting to visit at home. It is clear people are yet to take up the idea of social distancing.”

BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia, who distributed masks outside his residence, said: “We are just spreading the Prime Minister’s message. We will also be distributing masks tomorrow. I have reduced visitors at home. But other than that its business as usual.”

Wadala said he attended a wedding in Phagwara with 400 people in attendance yesterday. “However, the administration has begun to act tough and some events are being cancelled. A family has shifted their function to a village (instead of a palace). This is for people’s own good. We must comply with government instructions.”

Congress leader and MLA Rajinder Beri said: “I head to office in the morning, then we attend bhogs, ceremonies or other important events. Then the office again, from where I go home. Routine has to be followed. But we have sanitisers and soaps handy everywhere.”

MPs busy with Parliament proceedings

BJP MP Som Parkash, who is regularly attending the Parliament proceedings in Delhi, said: “At Parliament, there are sanitisers everywhere. Though rarely anyone is wearing masks now. Besides, the schedule remains unchanged. Today, I came to Chandigarh but will return to Delhi soon. At home, though the number of visitors have slightly decreased.”

Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh, who is also in Delhi, said: “At Parliament, work is going on as usual, though private and public establishments have been closed in the city. However, when I am in Jalandhar, we get a lot of visitors, many NRIs too. We are asking them to prefer phone calls if it’s not something important.”