Tablighi Jamaat : A group of anti social elements in these times of crisis

Today the entire world is fighting against Covid-19, a disease that has now been declared as a global pandemic by WHO. In these times, if any person intentionally causes the spread of this virus is, to say the least, an offender under the penal code of the country.

In past few days, ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ has become tremendously infamous for not only being negligent and causing damage to public health, but also for intentionally committing to obstruct in their identification(s) and treatment(s).

News sources are flooded with the news of such Jamaatis actively performing unhealthy acts like spitting out of windows and excreting in the corridors of quarantine facilities. There are also reports of the quarantined Jamaatis, violating the terms of quarantine and gathering together in/around their designated quarantined areas.

In these crucial times, it is essential for the Government to be able to identify the potential carriers, conduct the tests, further quarantine and treat such persons to the best of medical abilities. It is imperative to note that in the impugned process, identification is the first step. For this, making lists (but not necessarily publishing them) would come in handy. In given circumstances, where a contagious virus threatens the existence of human race, if there is any identifiable person(s)/class of persons, who furthers the spread of this deadly virus, they must be identified and treated. This identification serves two purposes- One, it is easier to test, isolate and treat such carrier(s)/patient(s), which puts a stop to further transmission of the virus and Two, the law can take its course against such persons.

Nonetheless, where the entire country is united and fighting the virus as one, somehow, religious politics has found its way and is now meddling with the much desired and required unity of all. In these times, the State(s) need to acknowledge the need of identification of the potential carriers and use all classifications and specifications as can be used to narrow down such identification.

Using the identification of a class named as ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ is essential as the entire class has been found in gross violation of the guidelines of the state which has made the entire class, ‘potential carriers’. Any other person/class/sect/group, which becomes a potential threat would also need to be identified and treated in the interest of our countrymen’s health.

Gauraan
Advocate