Faiths, tradition throw caution to the wind

Distribution of nombu kanji marking Ramzan month, burial practices in private Christian cemeteries, the conduct of Chithirai Tiruvizha by private temples and village fishing festivals as per Tamil Almanac are bogging down the authorities during the lockdown period.

Earlier this month, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam met the Muslim community leaders and briefed that the State will continue to give free rice of 5,450 tonnes of rice to 2,895 mosques and requested that the rice be supplied to the needy and not supplied as gruel. However, gruel continues to be served in a few areas of Central Chennai.

Meanwhile, State BJP chief L Murugan has sought reopening of temple annadhanam centres. “With Girivalam approaching, Tiruvannamalai administration must cordon off Girivalam road to prevent the virus spread,” said an official.

“Pulianthope, a corona hotspot, is active as public of all faith distributes food and gruel. Social distancing is thrown out of gear. Local religious leaders should intervene and create awareness,” said former AIADMK MLA Ku Srinivasan.

According to highly placed Secretariat sources, preference of burial over cremation in COVID death cases is also an issue that is draining the energy of officials.

The State wants to dispose of the bodies as soon as possible, but private cemeteries have their timings.

Though WHO has okayed both burial and cremation in its guidelines, the best practice, experts opine, is cremation. “In case of large numbers burial is easier, but due to religious sentiments, the State is not interfering into these issues,” the officer explained.

On Monday, villagers of Rishivandyam in Kallakurichi took part in a massive village fishing festival at Kudalur Lake ignoring lockdown norms. The police had a tough time clearing them when they argued it is a cultural practice. Again, on Tuesday there were a few villagers fishing at Kudalur lake.

“The public is finding it difficult to cope with the restrictions without money. Though the State had provided ration and financial assistance, it is difficult to regulate them,” says AIADMK Kallakurichi MLA A Prabhu.