The HC order has come as a big relief to the embattled Pinarayi Vijayan Government in the State, which is locked in a grim battle to contain the corona virus spread.

In a welcome step, the High Court has sent notices to all political parties to explain their stand. It has also asked the Government to detail the steps it has taken to prevent such agitations during the covid times. Through the verdict, the court has sent a clear message to the political parties which are indulging in reprehensible agitations and demonstrations in flagrant violation of all lockdown-related guidelines on public gatherings.

The court has, obviously, been provoked into issuing the order in view of the irresponsible attitude of the Opposition parties which have resorted to agitations/demonstrations at a time when there is need for total unity in the fight against covid 19.

In shocking indifference to public safety, Congress leaders have been making highly irresponsible statements. In their eagerness to play politics, the opposition leaders have been saying that the prevalence of covid is no excuse for not taking out protests and demonstrations!

Congress workers and leaders have been participating in agitations and demonstrations without wearing masks and without maintaining social distancing! If this is not callous indifference to the safety of the people, what is? Now that the court order is in place, the Opposition parties have no option but to obey it. Failure to do so would invite the charge of contempt. The Court order is a searing indictment of the propensity of political parties to play politics even in the face of a raging pandemic.

Meanwhile, the State is perilously close to a community transmission of the dreaded virus. All the 14 districts are drifting dangerously in that direction. The last two days have seen the number of affected persons crossing the 600 mark. The worst affected districts are Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Ernakulam. The latest addition to the list is Kozhikode.

Adding to the worry of the State Government is the steady rise in large community clusters. Poonthura in Thiruvananthapuram district and Ponnani in Malappuram district are the hottest spots. A large cluster becomes a reality when a particular region reports more than 60 cases. At the present count, there are, in all, 37 clusters in the State.

Equally worrisome is the alarming increase in the number of covid positive cases through contacts. On Wednesday alone, the State reported as many as 423 cases of people getting infected through contacts. As if this was not enough, the number of positive cases whose source is not known has also registered an alarming surge

A visibly worried Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan disclosed at his press conference on Wednesday that, if the trend persisted, then each district could report nearly 5,000 cases by next month!

The reason for this shocking state of affairs is not far to seek, he pointed out. It is solely due to the failure of the people to follow the lockdown-related norms and guidelines. The need of the hour, therefore, is strict adherence to these norms and guidelines. The consequences of any failure to maintain discipline are too grim to contemplate, the CM warned.

Are Opposition leaders who resort to uncalled for agitations, protests and demonstrations listening? (IPA Service)