Crowds Ignored PM’s Request By Congregating on ‘Janata Curfew’ Day

Video Editor: Varun Sharma

Video Producer: Shohini Bose.

As India observed self-imposed curfew or "Janata Curfew" – a name floated by Prime Minister Modi on Sunday, 22 March – videos emerged on social media showcasing people congregating in large numbers at a few places across the country, defeating the very purpose of the PM's plan for social distancing.

'Go Corona' Masterstroke by Modiji today

Entire India was united today at 5 PM, banging utensils in support of Doctors & Nurses

To chronicle this great moment of history in the middle of a pandemic, making this thread

Pls do share & support with your videos🙏

Corona Garbha 👇 pic.twitter.com/3tQrAK2Irg

— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) March 22, 2020

Police Officer, District Magistrate Lead Crowd in UP's Pilibhit

Among many clips shared on social media, one was from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district, where a police officer can be seen on road with the district magistrate and crowd, clanging plates and ringing bells to show gratitude to essential service providers such as healthcare workers, police personnel, media people, home delivery agents, etc.

This comes at a time when the entire country is being advised to self-quarantine.

As the questions were raised on social media, Pilibhit Police issued a clarification on social media.

@pilibhitpolice खंडन-DM व SP द्वारा जुलूस नहीं निकाला गया। कुछ जनता चूकि बाहर आ गयी थी अतः भावनात्मक जुड़ाव के द्वारा वहाँ से हटाया गया। चूँकि बल प्रयोग व्यावहारिक नहीं था। मात्र एकतरफ़ा खबर से भ्रामक खबर चलायी गयी है। प्रमाण के रूप में मीडिया बाइट संलग्न है @Uppolice @dgpup pic.twitter.com/NMzVEhnk3A

— pilibhit police (@pilibhitpolice) March 22, 2020

The tweet said, "District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police were not trying to defy curfew. Since some people were stepping out of their homes, they had to be told to go back. It was not reasonable to use force. One-sided reports were doing rounds."

Meanwhile, on Monday, PM tweeted saying, "Some people are not taking lockdown seriously."

He requested the state governments to ensure that people comply with lockdown rules.

लॉकडाउन को अभी भी कई लोग गंभीरता से नहीं ले रहे हैं। कृपया करके अपने आप को बचाएं, अपने परिवार को बचाएं, निर्देशों का गंभीरता से पालन करें। राज्य सरकारों से मेरा अनुरोध है कि वो नियमों और कानूनों का पालन करवाएं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2020

Gujrat Files FIRs Against People Flouting Self-Isolation

In Ahmedabad, police filed an FIR against two people on Sunday for flouting their home quarantine and attending a birthday party, Indian Express reported. The duo had recently returned from Muscat and were asked to remain in their homes.

"We have booked them under IPC sections 188 and 270 for disobedience and malignant act likely to spread infection of a disease, along with section of the Epidemic Disease Act,” said a senior police officer at Maninagar police station.

As per the report, a total of 10 FIRs have been filed in the state so far against people who have flouted their quarantine advisories.