Thiruvananthapuram: Under threatening rain clouds, final preparations are under way at the Central Stadium here for the swearing-in of the Left Democratic Front ministry on May 20.
The consecutive 5-year term for the LDF government is a historic achievement for the Communist Party of India Marxist-led coalition, but it is also facing flak from different quarters for the decision to have a grandiose swearing-in ceremony at a time when the state is reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has remarked that it is a “low-key affair” and that “only 500” people will be in attendance but there is criticism that the government is setting a bad example even as it gives daily discourses on the importance of doing everything online, and taking utmost caution to contain the pandemic.
All-round disapproval
Opinion against the proposed impressive ceremony has come from multiple quarters including the medical fraternity, jurists, and some individuals. Their arguments focus on two key points, namely the lurking danger of the event turning out to be pandemic spreader, and the contradiction in having so many in attendance when the government is strictly limiting guests permitted at weddings, funerals and other functions.
The Indian Medical Association proposed that the swearing-in be held as a virtual event in the context of the unprecedented surge in cases in the state in the second wave of the pandemic.
Doctors have pointed to how cases spurted in Kerala after social distancing and proper mask-wearing were ignored during the campaign for the assembly elections.
“The new government is coming to power upholding scientific temper and understanding the will of people. So, the conduct of the swearing-in ceremony on the virtual platform, avoiding the gathering of people, will give a strong message of the fight against COVID-19,” IMA said in a statement.
PIL against event
In Kochi, a public interest petition was filed before the Kerala High Court on Tuesday against the physical swearing-in ceremony in violation of the pandemic protocol. The petition was filed by a Thrissur-based organisation, Chikitsaneethi.
Several jurists have also aired their apprehension over a physical swearing-in at a time when coronavirus cases are on the rise.
A former judge of the Kerala High Court, C.K. Abdul Rahim, was quoted as saying that India’s Constitution speaks only about the governor administering the oath of office and that there was no mention that the function shall be held in physical mode.
Many in the state have been shocked by the fact that the government is going ahead with such a big physical event in Thiruvananthapuram when the entire district comprising the state capital has been placed under triple lockdown.
Students’ appeal
In an open letter to the chief minister, student representatives of the Kozhikode Medical College wrote, “At a time when people who sweat on daily-wage work are sitting at home and even contributing to the chief minister’s relief fund, you should desist from spending public funds on such lavish events”.
The final year medical students reminded the chief minister that theirs was a batch that did not even get a formal farewell on completing their medical studies and had joined work straight away owing to the pressing demand for medical staff.
On social media, too, many have put posts against the government holding a public, physical ceremony at a stadium to celebrate the swearing-in when people of the state are told to strictly follow pandemic protocol.
