Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated in India on Monday in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic with no traditional congregational prayers in mosques and idgahs or community gatherings due to the lockdown restrictions and the need to maintain social distancing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, various chief ministers and other leaders extended greetings on the festival, hoping that the special occasion furthers the spirit of compassion and harmony.
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The vast premises of the historic Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Masjid in the national capital, where thousands offer the Eid namaz, looked desolate as only the Shahi Imams and mosque staff attended the traditional prayers.
The scenes were no different in other parts of the country as religious places remained closed due to the lockdown restrictions, reflecting how the coronavirus pandemic which has infected over 1.3 lakh people in India has upended the lives of the people.
At some places notices were pasted at the gates of mosques asking the people to offer prayers at home because of the pandemic. Police personnel in large numbers were deployed around major mosques in many areas and traffic movement was restricted.
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Prominent clerics and religious organisations had also appealed to people to adhere to social distancing and lockdown guidelines of the government and pray at home.
Online gatherings replaced family and community get-togethers on Eid as people prayed at home and avoided customary visits on the occasion, while many could not travel to join their families due to the coronavirus lockdown since March 25.
“People should serve those in need, including the ones affected by the disease. The virus can be defeated by people through precautions like social distancing,” the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, said in his Eid message.
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Forced to stay indoors due to the coronavirus threat, Shafique Alam, a school teacher and resident of Jamia Nagar, said, “I offered namaz at home along with my two brothers and our children.”
“But the Eid Namaz at a local mosque was immensely missed as it used to be an occasion to meet friends and neighbours, hug them and revive the bonds of togetherness,” he said.
The usual hustle and bustle associated with the festival was missing from the markets and other public places where people venture out to celebrate.
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In riot-affected northeast Delhi, several families were still trying to get their lives back on track. Furkan, along with four brothers, had been running a sweet shop in Old Mustafabad for nearly 20 years. Usually, they were so overburdened that they ended up doing six months’ work to meet the demands of customers during the holy month of Ramzan, he said.
He opened his shop for the first time after nearly three months on Eid with the hope of making some money.
“This year, due to the riots and then the lockdown, shops were closed and we have hardly earned anything in the last three months. How do we celebrate Eid when we hardly have money to purchase essentials?” he said.
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The sight, smell and sounds of Eid were also missing from Zakaria street and other areas in Kolkata which don a festive look every year with numerous food stalls and gift shops.
State minister and Kolkata Municipal Corporation administrator Firhad Hakim offered namaz at his Chetla residence in south Kolkata along with wife and daughters.
“Our combined prayers to the Almighty to defeat coronavirus and end misery of people struck by cyclone Amphan,” Hakim told reporters.
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Irfan, a rickshaw-puller in Phoolbagan area of Kamarhati, on the northern fringes of the West Bengal capital, said he and his family visited a neighbour and offered thanksgiving prayers together.
“This year, we could not visit Kamarhati Badi Masjid compound, as the imam had asked us to stay at home. My wife has prepared sevai for us on the occasion, and I can’t wait to taste it,” he said.
Chairman of Bengal Imams Association Mohammed Yahia said all 26,000 mosque committees in the state have asked the faithfuls to offer Eid namaz with their families at home.
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“This ground had witnessed large crowds on Eid and Bakrid every year but the seriousness of the situation today has to be taken into account,” a prominent Muslim cleric of Lucknow, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, said after leading a prayer by a handful of people, who wore masks and maintained social distancing, at the Idgah.
The celebrations were subdued in Hyderabad and other places in Telangana as well, in contrast to the festivities witnessed every year, especially in the old city.
SK Muddin, national convenor of the RSS-affiliated Muslim Rasthriya Manch, said Muslims followed the lockdown norms strictly.
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“The Muslim community which has clung to virtues like patience since the beginning of Ramzan (the holy month of fasting that culminates with EID) maintained and manifested it today,” he said.
In Jaipur, woman police personnel offered chocolates and gifts to children in the walled city area where public movement is restricted.
Though lockdown restrictions, imposed to curb the coronavirus spread, had been eased outside COVID-19 hotspots after May 17, people mostly stayed indoors.
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In Rajkot, Gujarat, police officials staged a march in some Muslim-dominated areas and urged people to maintain social distancing while celebrating Eid.
In Ahmedabad, the worst coronavirus-hit district in Gujarat, the festival passed off peacefully, according to the police.
“The Muslim community in Ahmedabad followed our instructions and remained indoors while celebrating Eid today. There was no gathering for namaz in open areas or in mosques.
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“There was not a single incident of any unrest. The festival was celebrated peacefully and by following social distancing norms,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Control, Vijay Patel.
Guwahati-based entrepreneur Atiqur Rahman Barbhuiya said his family did not go for shopping and distributed money to the poor people, who are suffering most in this lockdown period.
He termed this year’s Eid amid the lockdown as a “blessing in disguise” as women, who usually do not perform namaz at mosques, were able to offer the special prayers with other male family members at home. “I offered my Eid namaz with my daughter and son at home,” he said.
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Maulana Maqsood Imran, the Khateeb-O-Imam, Jama Masjid, Bengaluru, said: “Coronavirus is spreading very rapidly in our country. If we don’t follow the guidelines, it will not only cause trouble to us but also to the doctors and the government. It will be the biggest celebration if we abide by the norms.”
Eid, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, was celebrated on Sunday in Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir.
Passionate news enthusiast with a flair for words. Our Editorial Team author brings you the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and engaging stories. Stay informed with their well-researched articles.
The internet is currently divided following a viral video that showed remarks by students from Galgotias University about Sam Pitroda, the Chair of the Indian Overseas Congress, regarding the ‘inheritance tax’.
As per Business Standard, this incident that has filled the entire nation with laughter took place in Greater Noida. Purposedly, the students of Galgotias University held a protest in Delhi.
Galgotias University Students Rally With ‘Unclear’ Agenda Spark Meme Frenzy
When an AajTak reporter reached the protest site, he questioned the students engaged in the protests. The reporter asked the students the motive behind their protest and the message their placards conveyed.
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Ye chaman sab India ke future hai..bheed ban kar rah Gaya hai aaj kal ka youth.. Social media ka influence hai sab. Aab to samne aa gaya na ki #galgotiasuniversity noida mai kaise admissions ho raha.. DONATION WALE STUDENTS pic.twitter.com/C5ZvP1BmMC— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla9_) May 1, 2024
Students seemed clueless about the questions asked. While responses from other students were even funny and laughable.
Thus, the video showcasing students’ response has gone viral all over the social media platforms. The video has also garnered funny reactions from netizens online.
Meme Fest All Over the Internet
When the students were questioned, their relies on were just a comedy of errors.
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One student stated that his motive behind the protest was his desire for a developed India. However, he lacked the basic specifics.
Another student acknowledged that he was clueless regarding the Congress manifesto. Several protestors even struggled to read what was printed on their placards.
When a student was asked to read the slogan written on the placard, the student read ‘urban naxal’ as ‘urban maxwell.’
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It seemed that the protest was made to touch a range of issues in the nation, such as women’s empowerment, urban naxalism, NaMo’s stand on mangalsutra and wealth redistribution, inheritance tax and many more. However, clarity remains elusive.
Videos circulating on social media garnered mixed reactions. Some laughed while others their criticism and showed disappointment at the students’ lack of awareness.
Responses received from students even triggered a meme fest all over the internet. Take a look!
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An indian university of international repute is demonised and Galgotia is weaponised! 😂😂
You all know why. Today we are ruled by JNU students Jaishankar and Nirmala Tai. Tomorrow in Viksit Bharat we will be ruled by Galgotia Graduates! pic.twitter.com/TGRHHdE7If— sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) May 2, 2024
Parents of Galgotia University students watching the interview of their kids on Aaj Tak 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/WqgqsS4GOM— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) May 1, 2024
Galgotia University of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh and its owner are proudly displaying their illiterate students who brought shame to this university.
Congress-led INDIA Alliance govt will ensure that this university refunds the fees to these student’s parents.
A huge update for those who were a part of COVID vaccination programs! Rare side effects of the vaccination have surfaced, questioned by numerous health experts.
The Economic Times reported that AstraZeneca, the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has legally acknowledged that its product, Covishield, can cause certain rare side effects.
AstraZeneca developed Covishield, which was produced by the Serum Institute of India. In India, Covishield was one of the primary vaccines provided to citizens.
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AstraZeneca’s Statements
AstraZeneca is currently facing a lawsuit in a UK court. The lawsuit was filed after claims surfaced on the internet that AstraZeneca’s vaccine caused deaths. To date, 51 deaths have been reported, hence 51 cases have been filed against the company.
AstraZeneca finally admitted in one of the court papers that, “Covishield can, in very rare cases, cause TTS.” TTS stands for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.
Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a medical expert, told ANI,
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“TTS is thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, which is basically a clot in the blood vessels of the brain or elsewhere, along with a low platelet count. It is known to occur in very rare instances following certain types of vaccines and also from other causes. According to the WHO, adenovirus vector vaccines, in particular, have rarely been associated with this condition.”
TTS: About, Diagnosis, Treatment
TTS, or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, is a serious yet rare health condition characterized by low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) along with the formation of blood clots (thrombosis).
Various symptoms associated with TTS include neurological deficits, shortness of breath, leg swelling, abdominal pain, and severe headaches.
TTS can be diagnosed if blood tests are conducted to assess the levels of platelets in the blood. Moreover, to detect blood clots, imaging studies are required, reported the Times of India.
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TTS can be treated with a multidisciplinary approach. It includes supportive care, anticoagulation therapy to prevent blood clotting, and hospitalization.
To manage and stabilize platelet levels in the body, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can also be performed.
Patients with TTS are prone to severe complications like death and organ damage. Hence, close monitoring of patients by healthcare providers is a must.
The prime suspect in the murder case of a famous Punjabi singer, Goldy Brar, is alive, reported TOI.
Goldy is the infamous Canadian gangster who was earlier rumored to be dead in an alleged incident that took place at Fairmont and Holt Avenue last Tuesday.
In the incident, one of the two individuals reportedly got gunshot wound and succumbed to injuries at the hospital. You can read our story about California shooting incident in which Goldy Brar allegedly got shot here.
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As per the US police, reports of Goldy’s disappearance were circulating all over the internet on Tuesday. However, the U.S. authorities clarified the rumors of Brar’s disappearance in a California shooting incident are untrue.
The claims were refuted by the Fresno police department and labeled them as fake. William J. Dooley, the Lieutenant, debunked online speculations and announced that the victim of the California shooting was not Goldy Brar.
William J. Dooley stated,
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“If you are inquiring because of the online chatter claiming that the shooting victim is ‘Goldy Brar’, we can confirm that this is absolutely not true.”
Who is Goldy Brar?
Goldy Brar, hailing from Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, is a close ally of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. It is anticipated that he is the mastermind behind the assassination of Sidhu Moose Wala, the Punjabi pop icon.
According to The Economic Times, in January 2024, Satinderjit Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, was designated as a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the anti-terror law, UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act).
Orders by the government-linked Goldy Brar to a listed terrorist organization under the UAPA, Babbar Khalsa International.
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Goldy Brar has never ceased to vanish from police’s eyes since he murdered Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. His father also was a Police Officer himself.
After completing his graduation and getting a BS degree, he has been operating from Canada remotely.
Last year Goldy’s statement, targetting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan next made huge media headlines.
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