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Political Discourse and Friendships: How to Deal with the Conflict

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Last night, I was involved in a heated argument with my school friend over the government’s efforts in containing the novel coronavirus in India. It started off as a healthy discussion as to what can be done to better the current situation but soon turned into a politically charged conversation. Now, that’s not us. Back in school, all that we discussed was cricket and WWE. Politics was never on the table. It was never meant to be but now that it is, learning to live with it is the only option left.

This is not the first time I have come across such situations. India has become a breeding ground of controversies since December 2019 when the amended Citizenship Act came into being. Nationwide protests, gruesome violence, student dissent took the centre stage. All this was followed by the worst riots Delhi has experienced in over 36 years. Escaping confrontations becomes difficult when so much happens so fast. I have had people agreeing with my opinions and others, discarding them. There’s always resistance, but when it is your friend opposing your point of view, it can be a hard pill to swallow. Why are we friends with anyone anyway? Largely because of the similarity in our thoughts and views. But when that common link seems doubtful, conflicts arise. You start doubting your friendship and it adversely affects you, mentally, socially, emotionally. All of this is accompanied by the urgent need to prove yourself right and the other, horribly wrong. A discussion that could have been fruitful turns unhealthy and violent. And to be honest, there’s no way to avoid these conflicts. Either you’ll choose friendship over your beliefs or vice-versa. Irrespective of the choice, you’ll be losing something valuable. So is there a middle ground? How do we deal with such conflicts?

Here are two things that, in my opinion, can put things into perspective:

Respecting Opinions

No matter how flawed their narratives may seem, you must learn to respect their opinions. Their choice of political parties/leaders/policies might not go down well with you but we must realise that everyone is entitled to think and process the way they do. That is exactly what we call a democracy, a concept that is not only fading away from India but many other countries as well. Our friends might support controversial judgements and legislations but rather than indulging in unhealthy and heated discourses, backing your arguments with logic and facts and presenting them with compassion is the way forward. And if this doesn’t work, try the next step.

Acceptance

One can always persuade the other into believing that his/her argument makes more sense but in the end, it’s always better to accept that people think and react differently. And those beliefs are a result of many variables, one of which, is privilege. The more privileged you are, more often than not, you’ll side with those in power. Privilege makes a man overlook the otherwise evident truth. In a nutshell, accept the fact that you and your friend differ in your politics and that consequently affects your bonding.

And all of this is not limited to friendships and can be extended to many other relationships as well. They might be your own relatives or family friends or boyfriends/girlfriends. So the next time you discuss politics with your dear one, do so with kindness and logic, the two cornerstones of a fruitful discussion.

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Ayaan Khan is a 1st-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Statistics (H) at Ramjas College, University of Delhi. He’s particularly interested in Journalism and Poetry.

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Campus Central

News of Promotion without Exams False, Clarifies DU

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Delhi University authorities confirmed that there has been no discussion regarding the promotion of first- year and second-year students without conducting examinations. All news regarding this has been falsified.

With the University of Delhi (DU) being closed, University administration has postponed their semester-end examinations in lieu of the Coronavirus induced national lockdown.

Meanwhile numerous have reports surfaced among the media, and student circles that, in a meeting of University officials with Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi, proposals regarding promotion of first and  second year students without semester-end examinations had been discussed. But contradicting these claims, Professor Vinay Gupta, Dean Of Examinations, told The Quint, “No such proposal has been sent to the Vice Chancellor and these reports do not carry any substance.” He confirmed that the University definitely has plans to conduct examinations, though not in the immediate future.

He mulled that if needed, the University would consider shifting examinations online. “We see online examinations as the only way to conduct examinations, especially in times when students should not leave their houses. But the final decision can only be taken after committees report”, Professor Gupta said, referring to the committees formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry Of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to analyse various possible scenarios.

Expressing disappointment at the University’s adamant stance on conduction of examinations, an undergraduate student, who did not wish to be named, said, “Many universities across the country have cancelled their semester examinations. Under such trying circumstances, it is best that we give foremost preference to our health and life before considering our educational conveniences. This is a once-in-a-lifetime situation.”

“As of now I have not been intimated by my superiors regarding the cancellation of examinations. Not holding examinations would mean giving the same Semester Cumulative Grade Point Average to each student, which is unfair in my opinion. Examinations should take place, whether after a month, or after a year”, said an Assistant Professor of Economics, on the conditions of anonymity.

Thus in the current situation, cancellation of examinations for any course or year is not in the picture. A definitive update shall only be announced after the committees give their recommendations.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Araba Kongbam

[email protected]

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Pandemic Analysis: Coronavirus 2019 versus Swine Flu 2009

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Reminding one eerily of the swine flu pandemic ten years ago, coronavirus has brought the world to a screeching halt. We take a brief look at the two.

Infecting an estimated one billion, and causing the deaths of around half a million, the 2009 H1N1 virus, or the swine flu pandemic, disrupted the world for over a year, striking fear across continents and cities, and is considered among the deadliest pandemics in human history. Recently originating from a different part of the world, but only ten years apart from the preceding pandemic, COVID-19, or the coronavirus pandemic, has been spreading across countries at a devastating speed, with the death toll rising almost exponentially in several regions.

Lockdown of cities, shutting down of corporates and companies, suspension of all sports events, closing down of universities and schools, disruption of air and road travel  – the worldwide call for social distancing to prevent the spread of the disease has brought the world to a standstill. “We are facing a global health crisis unlike any in the 75-year history of the UN – one that is killing people, spreading human suffering and upending people’s lives”, said the United Nations in a public report. The current pandemic seems to be on its way to upstage the damage done by the one before it.

The swine flu emerged among pigs, reportedly in Mexico – though some experts dispute that the place of origin was in Asia –  and was carried by them for some period of time before it finally transferred to humans, hence the name. The first reported case came from Veracruz, a small town in Mexico. Experts are yet to ascertain the specific cause that led to the spread of coronavirus, though there is a good probability that it passed onto humans from a different species. The first reported outbreak was in Wuhan, China. 

The total number of people infected with swine flu was estimated to be 700 million – 1.4 billion, from March 2009 to August 2010, while for coronavirus, the number has almost reached 900,000 (reported cases) in a matter of three months, and with the absence of a vaccine or a cure, the number is expected to rise at an even swifter rate in the coming weeks. An extremely stark difference between the two is seen in terms of the mortality rate. While the swine flu did infect a high number of people and did cause a large number of deaths, the mortality rate was not as menacing as compared to what had been expected. Compared to swine flu’s rate of 0.02%, coronavirus had a mortality rate of 3.4% as of March 27, and the difference, when seen in terms of thousands of human beings, is enormous. Though with the increase in number of cases, the rate is expected to fall.

Due to the high mortality rate and high contagiousness, the measures for social distancing are far more severe under coronavirus as compared to swine flu. The extra caution undertaken can also be attributed to the fact that governments and medical institutions are a bit more equipped, mentally and physically, and a tad more aware as regards to handling such a large scale pandemic, having already experienced it a few years back. “When swine flu came out in 2009, there were some shutdowns, some precautionary measures implemented, some schools closed, and daily life was not as disrupted, but during this coronavirus outbreak, there has been a total shutdown of almost every activity, that too at a global level”, said a city doctor, on the condition of anonymity. Indeed, the widespread suspension of almost every public activity, from road vehicles to international flights, local shops to multinational retailers, restaurants to tourist attractions, football leagues to the Olympics, public parks to national stadiums, along with several countries under precautionary quarantine, is unprecedented. 

Both coronavirus and swine flu have largely similar symptoms, and a similar mode of transmission, infected respiratory droplets. Yet both were caused by vastly different virus families. A vaccine for swine flu was developed a few months after it was declared a pandemic, and though many deaths had been caused by that time, it helped curtail any further damage. No such vaccine or cure has been developed for coronavirus, though efforts are underway across the world. According to a report by Centres For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and young adults accounted for 75% deaths under swine flu. As for deaths under coronavirus, a large proportion of the deaths have been of old citizens. 

A definite and conclusive analysis can only be done after the pandemic has subsided. While the logical and quick decision made by several governments to introduce social distancing measures is laudable, the magnitude of the shutdown, as well as the damage that has already been done, is a proof of the potential damage that the disease can inflict in the coming few weeks. Though looking at the doctors and scientists working day and night towards a cure or a vaccine, the rising number of recovered patients and the fact that the case toll has slowed down in some countries, especially in the disease’s place of origin, China, the possibility of coronavirus being brought under control by the end of 2020 cannot totally be ruled out.

Featured Image Credits – Business Insider

Araba Kongbam

[email protected]

 

 

 

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ABVP and DUSU Introduce Online Remedial Classes Amidst Indefinite Lockdown

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Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) have collaborated to launch online remedial classes for all students of the capital. 

In a press statement released on Tuesday, 31st March 2020, ABVP and DUSU announced initiatives to launch online remedial classes for all Delhi students. The organisations, recognising the grave academic losses occurring to the student community of the capital region due to the COVID-19 pandemic spread and lockdown, have decided to launch these remedial classes for all resident students of Delhi. Under this platform, all registered students will be able to access these classes.

This initiative involved not just students from the University of Delhi, but also students From Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamilia Millie Islamia (JMI), Indraprastha University (IP), Ambedkar University, as well as other registered colleges. Any student registered as a resident of Delhi can access this initiative. With the use of e-mail, voice notes, and online classes, the organisations plan to deliver the initiative of remedial classes to help students. The organisations also stated that a digital copy of all the course material will be made available to download.

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Featured Image Credits: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)

 

“The national capital, being an education hub, has been affected by the ongoing lockdown. As a consequence, the student community has suffered in terms of loss of thousands of hours of classroom instructions, no access to public libraries, and the absence of functional alternatives. It is to address these significant problems that ABVP Delhi and DUSU have brought together more than 80 professors and teachers from eminent institutes like Delhi University and JNU, who will provide online guidance to students in more than twenty different disciplines. Students from DU, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, IP University, Ambedkar University, and others can register themselves to join these online remedial classes. Doubts of the students will be cleared via e-mail, voice notes and discussions during online classes. Course materials would also be made available in the digital form,” the press release stated.

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Featured Image Credits: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)

 

Sidharth Yadav, State Secretary, ABVP Delhi, said, “ABVP activists and volunteers have responded to the lockdown in more ways than one. Distribution of ration and similar essential goods among the stranded students, prompt medical assistance, appeals for the forbearance of rentals have been some of our initiatives. Online remedial classes add another dimension to our comprehensive response to this crisis. As a sincere representative of students, our efforts to assist the student community and the larger society will continue with the same momentum throughout the lockdown.”

“Distance learning and social distancing seem to be the only way out in these trying times. While we are thankful to the professors and scholars who have agreed to guide the students, we would request the varsity administration to institutionalize similar efforts for maximized scope and reach. We are endeavouring to provide a wide spectrum of e-learning resources and would urge the students to join these in large numbers. More instructors, courses, and study materials will be added as and when required,” Akshit Dahiya, President, DUSU, also stated.

The capital has been put under lockdown as per the orders of the government to prevent the spread of the pandemic, with educational institutions being shut down indefinitely until further orders.

 

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Shreya Juyal

[email protected] 

 

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AGSHW Students Not Allowed to Enter Hostel Premises

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Amidst the coronavirus lockdown, while many University of Delhi (DU) students are enjoying a vacation at their home, there are still many who could not make it home in time, and thus, are forced to stay in Delhi under unbearable conditions.

In a recent notice released on the University’s website, it was made clear to all of the students residing in any hostel of DU that there would be necessities provided to them even during the indefinite countrywide lockdown. But the story so far for the residents of Ambedkar Ganguly Students House for Women (AGSHW) has been completely different.

According to the recent information being circulated over social media, Amisha Nanda, a student residing in AGSHW could not enter the hostel even after constant appeals to the authorities. The security guards were instructed by the Provost to throw out any student trying to enter. The provost, Dr Anu Aggarwal stands unmoved to the requests by the students. Students are not able to get basic amenities like food and electricity in the hostel.

Before this, on 20th March 2020, the residents were evacuated on the grounds of a lockdown being initiated and other hostels of DU also being shut down. The notice from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) came the very next day, which was opposite to what the authorities had been saying.

But the clash between the authorities and residents of AGSHW is not new, there had been protests in the Dhaka Complex since late February 2020, over the problematic statements by Dr K Ratnabali such as “a girl’s body is a mystery”. Amisha is facing disciplinary action for the same and the parents of many students are being called up for the same. While talking to DU Beat, Amisha said, “The series of hostel authorities being vindictive is never-ending. They casually dismiss from the job the contract workers and they would still do everything so as to corner me or the other residents who would want to stay (in the hostel).”

As for the current scenario, Amisha said, “As of now, I am still locked inside. If they’re following the government order, they better first fulfill the condition that accompanies that is proper accommodation and essential facilities. Quarantining is not a problem.”

The students, while understanding that proper precautions need to be taken to prevent the coronavirus, demand a hostel with proper living conditions and basic living amenities, for the guards to not lose their job and for the hostel to provide shelter to all the residents, even if there are only a few residing in the hostel.

 

Featured Image Credits: Delhi University Official Website

Akshat Arora

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DU Pledges Its Staffers’ One-Day Salary Towards Coronavirus Relief Fund

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The University of Delhi (DU) has pledged its staffers’ one day salary to the PM relief fund in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.  

The University of Delhi (DU) has decided to pledge its staffers’ one-day worth salary to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) that has been set up in the wake of the Coronavirus spread, in an attempt to fight to the pandemic.

The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) in India is a public raised fund that does not get any budgetary compensation from the government. It was set up to provide relief and support for people in cases of natural and man-made disasters.

The PMNRF along with Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-Cares)- set up specifically during the ongoing coronavirus spread- are the two citizen-funded initiatives that have been providing relief to the economically weaker sections during the pandemic. On Monday, 30th April 2020, the University released a statement where this donation was proposed.

Along with this initiative, the University has apparently formed a task force in an attempt to take stock of the ongoing crisis that has arisen due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. This task force would be coming up with recommendations regarding academic and administrative responsibilities of the university in these trying times. The University has also stated that excessive amounts of financial resources are going to be needed by the centre to deal with the upcoming circumstances and provide relief to help its more vulnerable citizens in this crisis.

“The University has proposed to contribute one day’s salary of teaching and non-teaching staff to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF),” it said in a statement. The statement also revealed that a mobile application is currently in development so that employees who wish to contribute more to the PMNRF to help the situation can do so.

In the aforementioned context, the statement further read that the university is also making use of the two recently integrated apps- Google Classes and Google Hangouts- which can be used by the faculty and students to continue with the academic schedule online.

The University has also stated that it has made arrangements to provide all basic amenities to students staying in hostels, and that the mess facility is operational in all of the hostels maintained by the University. Four medical centres- The World University Services (WUS) Health Centre at North Campus, The WUS Health Centre at South Campus, East Delhi (Dr BR Ambedkar College) and West Delhi (Shivaji College)- have also been made available that have medical professionals, paramedics and ambulance around the clock.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

 Shreya Juyal

[email protected]

 

 

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Coronavirus and Capitalism: A Deadlier Virus

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In times of a pandemic with a majority of economies being capitalistic in nature, is it time to rethink the existing economic structure, thus affecting both socially and politically?

 

Ravi, a vegetable seller on the streets of Delhi panics, fears that his family of four would starve to death, well-aware that essential services are available, the real question for him is, can he afford it? In a similar case of the namesake, Ravi, an employee of an international MNC overlooks the silence in his city from his 18th-floor balcony, the real question for him is, how to spend his free time.

A global recession seems inevitable owing to the large-scale nationwide shutdowns all over the globe. The economies are experiencing serious shocks and close-downs. As Angel Gurría, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Secretary-General, says, “Even if you don’t get a worldwide recession, you’re going to get either no growth or negative growth in many of the economies of the world, including some of the larger ones, and therefore you’re going to get not only low growth this year, but also it’s going to take longer to pick up in the future.” With a majority of economies being capitalistic in nature, is it time to rethink the existing economic structure, thus affecting both socially and politically?

The announcement of a nationwide lockdown brought about massive hysteria and panic thus exaggerating the existing lockdown situation. Panic buying or buying large amounts of commodities in advance expecting a shortage or crisis in the near future. A 20% upsurge is estimated in buying domestic items and food items. It is sad that it takes a global pandemic to question the public healthcare system.

The pandemic has given some people the leverage and privilege of working from home, with hot-shot MNC jobs with several benefits. While the poor of India walk miles and miles without any public transport in the aspiration of reaching their homes, safely. Migrant workers, daily-wage earners and businesses have been severely affected with individuals left in the dark about their coming future. Shruti Gupta, daughter of a businessman says, “My dad seems pretty worried about the crisis that’s going to have its repercussions on us. Even though it’s going to affect us as much as many others, we do have our daily needs but we are not getting money out of anywhere for now.”

The stark division in class is apparent, more so, due to the pandemic. The inflation rate of necessary items like sanitiser and masks are sky-rocketing. Apparently, single Dettol hand sanitiser would easily cost over INR 160! However, it should also be pointed out that the government (both centre and state) have put a cap on the price of essential items like sanitizers and masks.

In times of crisis, surely the laws of economics remain an exception, however, it is crucial to understand and introspect the ingrained capitalism in profiting and pandering to the rich while the poor suffer, drastically. COVID-19 is a gross reminder of the dark inequality plaguing the world.

Prabhanu Kumar Das, a critique of capitalism and a politics student, says, “With the spread of coronavirus as a global pandemic, we can clearly see the difference in how capitalist and socialist countries are handling the situation, with countries such as Italy, UK, or the USA facing the brunt. The harm of capitalisation and privatisation of basic human needs such as medicine and healthcare has been shown during this pandemic. While the approaches of communist and socialist governments such as Kerala in India, or Cuba sending doctors to Italy even after Italy supported the American embargo on Cuba shows the difference between capitalist and communist/socialist nations.”

As the elite receive the first tests, the first results, get to do repeated tests, where does the remaining world go? Why such disparity in basic healthcare and a pandemic which affects everyone? Remember, the rich are tired of sitting at home, while the poor walk miles and miles without any respite!

 

Feature Image Credits: The Week

 

Anandi Sen

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The Covid Privilege: A Parasite Parallel

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Yes, the swans are returning to the canals of Venice, and the skies of Delhi are clearing up, but at the cost of whom? Because it is not the rich.

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite was unarguably one of the best movies that were served to us last year. An excessively uncomfortable yet realistic movie about the class divide, it was practically on everybody’s tongue to discuss.

There were many gripping scenes in the movie, and it’s hard to pick a favourite, but the “car scene” was definitely one of the best. It describes a scene where Mr Kim is driving Mrs Park back home after a day of shopping for her son’s birthday impromptu that was to happen that evening.

The night before, a devastating downpour that flooded the entire city, forcing the poor out of their homes and destroying almost every belonging that they possessed. Mr Kim and his entire family had been displaced too, with their entire house wrecked and destroyed, but he had still been asked to come to work and look cheerful for the Parks, simply because he had been paid.

In the car, Mr Kim drives forlorn and dejected- the man had just lost his house and everything he had owned- while Mrs Park sits in the back-seat with her feet up, inviting a friend to the evening’s jamboree. She talks heartily in the back, complaining about the rain, and how they had to trade plans for her son’s birthday- from camping to a garden party. “But at least the sky cleared up,” she says, as Mr Kim, whose house the rain that had ‘at least cleared the sky’ had destroyed, drives on. To Mrs Park, a downpour that had destroyed hundreds of lives in the city was a mild inconvenience that had at least made the sky pretty.

That is exactly what we sound like when we applaud the swans of Venice coming back, or the pollution clearing up and the skies becoming pretty, or the Earth ‘reclaiming herself’. All these things are extremely important- and needful- and there is absolutely no contest to that. However, we are extremely fast to forget that this clearing up of these skies, and the ‘reclamation’ of nature, has come not at the expense of the rich, as it should have been, but instead at the expense of the poor.

As workers, a lot of us have the privilege of a work-from-home, something that the daily-wage labourer or the essential service worker cannot afford. To a lot of us, the sacrifice for the clearing up of skies is the mild inconvenience of having to stay at home working from our laptops yet earning the same or watching hours of Netflix to try to while away the time. But the sacrifice that the poor make isn’t simply an inconvenience- it is a matter of survival and uncertainty. It is a matter of anxiety about how to earn enough to buy basic groceries that were already hard to buy, to begin with. For them, this global crisis is more than just medical.

The swans should return to the canals of Venice, the waters of the beaches of Manila should be turquoise again, and the skies of Delhi should clear up. It is what we owe to nature, as is her right. But the least we can do is not romanticize a pandemic that is giving all this to us by standing on the backs of the poor.

Feature Image Credit: Parasite (2019)

Shreya Juyal
[email protected]

 

 

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What You Can and Can’t During the 21-day Lockdown

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As soon as the lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister on March 24th, the Ministry of Home Affairs put down the rules and regulations which are to be followed during the lockdown. Read on to find out.

The whole nation has been under complete lockdown since March 24. The lockdown, as of now, is 21 day long and a lot of us have various confusions over the do’s and don’ts of the same. And this confusion and deliberation has led to various social media memes about police taking action against those who violated the lockdown. So to save you from becoming a meme here’s guide of the things and activities that you can and can’t do during these 21 says.

What is shut? 

• Most State and Union Territory government offices will remain shut. However, police stations and municipal bodies for essential services like municipal bodies, administrative services, home guards, electricity, water and sanitation will function with minimum staff
• Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/Subordinate Offices bad Public Corporations shall remain closed. With exemption to Defence, CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces), Disaster management, post offices, National Informatics Centre and Early Warning Agencies
• Commercial and private establishments that work in non-essential services will remain shut and work-from-home
• All educational institutions, including coaching classes, will remain shut
• All places of worship will be closed to the public. No religious congregation will be permitted–without exceptions. Funerals are permitted but attendance will be capped at 20 persons
• Transport services (air, rail and roadways) will be suspended. Only transportation for essential and emergency services will continue to function

 

What is open? 

• Hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, chemists and ambulance services
• Shops and stores selling groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and fish
• Banks, ATMs and insurance offices
• Petrol pumps as well as CNG and LPG stations
• Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment through e-commerce.
• Private security services

 

Can I order online? 

Yes, you can order essential items like food, medicines, etc. via online platforms like Zomato, Flipkart, Amazon, Grofers, Big Basket, Medlife, Pharm Easy.etc. However these platforms are only serving select cities and localities.

Can I go outside my house? 

You can go step outside your house, however, there are certain conditions related to it. A person is allowed to only step out only in case of an emergency or a valid reason. Valid reasons may include the need to buy rations, medicines, essential/life sustainingcommodities, etc. and you are required to do so only in your local areas of residence  

What if I violate the lockdown measures? 

The refusal to abide by the directions given by the Central as well as the state governments will result into a fine or/and an imprisonment of up to one year. If the unruly behaviour persists then the sentence may extend upto two years.

How do I approach doctors if I develop COVID-19 symptoms? 

You are allowed to go the hospital in case you develop any symptom related to COVID-19.

How can I reach out for help? 

Apart from this, you may also reach out for help via these phone numbers:-

• Central Helpline: +91-11-23978046 and 1075
• Central Helpline E-mail: ncov2019@gov.in or ncov2019@gmail.com
• Delhi Helpline: 011-22307145
• Uttar Pradesh Helpline: 18001805145
• Haryana Helpline: 8558893911

Image Credits: Jewel Samad/AFP 

Aniket Singh Chauhan

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Indian Media Coverage And Coronavirus

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A look at how national media outlets have covered coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it raises the hypocrisies and biases intrinsic in India media.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronavirus disease is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus. While it is mild for most of the people it affects, it can prove fatal to older people and/or people with other underlying health or respiratory diseases. As a global pandemic due to its highly infectious nature, extensive media coverage is required, however, the coverage provided by Indian “journalists” such as Arnab Goswami or Sudhir Chaudhary is dubious at best.

The initial stages of coronavirus consist of foreign nationals or returning citizens entering India from high-risk countries, a stage where contact tracing is easy. At this point, Indian media had gone into a coronavirus reporting frenzy, in the initial stages, those who are affected are mostly those who can afford to travel abroad. It is crucial at this juncture to look at the coverage of the aftermath of the Delhi Riots, which in most media houses was non-existent. Stories of bodies being pulled out of drains or empty relief camps or mass detentions of Muslim youth by the Delhi Police evaded the public eye as we chose to focus on the coronavirus.

Now, that the coronavirus is nearing the third stage, which is the community or local transmission, we look at the fallacies of the fourth estate again. There isn’t a single article against the current central government for its low testing rates, Modi not laying down any concrete plans in his speech, the shoddy quarantine facilities, rising xenophobia against people from the North East, and the work done by the communist government is not to be found on the front pages of Zee News, Republic, Times of India, or the Aaj Tak website front page. The media houses mentioned above have been responsible for baying for the blood of peaceful protesters at any instance, however, people who have disobeyed quarantine instructions or hid their travel history and put thousands of people at risk get just a report. Kanika or Kanhaiya and Umar just go to show the difference a name makes in this country.

At the time of writing this article, the Janata Curfew is in place, with media houses focusing to report on PM Modi’s tweets on Janata Curfew, or pictures of empty streets during a curfew, what the Grade A level Journalism of these media houses mentioned above still have failed to report as of 12:01 pm on 22nd March 2020, was how during a government-mandated nationwide lock down and curfew, petrol bombs were hurled at peaceful protesters in Shaheen Bagh. Will the government, police or the people responsible be put under media scrutiny for this? Perhaps tonight we will get to see reports on how the 5 pm clapping ordered by Modi will create vibrations and how Modi is following astrology with his extremely wise and thought out decisions because of agar Modi ne bola hai, toh kuch soch samajh ke bola hoga.

 

Featured Image Credits: UN News

 

Prabhanu Kumar Das

[email protected]

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