Contrasting pictures of turnout for Holi revelry and electioneering in Assam
- Mar 28, 2021,
- Updated Mar 28, 2021, 12:48 AM IST
GUWAHATI: Amid high pitch elect campaigns across poll-bound Assam, it was an altogether different picture of Holi celebrations in the state.
The rapid increase in COVID-19 infection may not have made any impact in electioneering, the pandemic has forced a low key Holi celebrations in the state.
Unlike in the past, Fancy Bazar and Barpeta town in Lower Assam witnessed a very thin turnout of revelers. Few people were seen violating the administration’s guidelines of reveling in public places.
ALSO READ: 14 wounded after 2 suicide bombers target Churchgoers in Indonesia
“It used to be a chock-a-block on these streets on the occasion of Holi in the past. But, today we can hardly see anybody reveling Holi. This is apparently due to the pandemic,” said Rakesh Saha, a roadside snacks vendor in Fancy Bazar.
The scene at the election meetings was contrary though. Very few were seen following any COVID-19 protocol. Despite the rising number of coronavirus infection in the state, social distancing and face masks have become a thing of the past as far as election campaigning is concerned.
Even Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who should have led by example, has been seen without face mask and flouting social distancing protocols all the time during campaign trails.
This is the second time after last year that Holi festivities have been restricted to household celebrations due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Very few people were seen on the streets of the capital city here, thanks to the Kamrup (Metro) district administration-imposed dry day till 4 pm today. A large section of the city dwellers have also moved out of the city in view of almost a week’s holidays and polling dates ahead.
The Doul Govinda temple in North Guwahati also witnessed a lower turnout compared to the past.
Sources in Barpeta, one of the neo Vaishnavite cult towns of the state, said the turnout of revelers was relatively lower than the past.
The turnout is expected to increase tomorrow though, the sources added. Holi is celebrated as a two-day festival in Assam.