Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with a headcount of around 22 crore, declared the coronavirus outbreak an “epidemic” last week. It has reported 12 infections so far. Accordingly, Chief Minister Adityanath has banned large gatherings, save one – the nine-day Ram Navami Mela in Ayodhya.

Not just the mela, the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s “Ram Mahotsav” in the city later this month is still on schedule as well.

After declaring the coronavirus epidemic, Adityanath ordered the closure of all swimming pools, water parks, multiplexes, discos, and educational institutions. He also suspended official celebrations, and urged the people to avoid large gatherings until March 22, with the restriction subsequently extended till April 2. This is par for the course for any government seeking to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, as the WHO has declared the affliction that has killed over 6,600 lives so far .

Irresponsibly, however, the holy city of Ayodhya has been exempted from the restrictions. It is all set to host the Ram Navami Mela from March 25 to April 2. The fair is expected to attract over 10 lakh pilgrims from across India, including elderly people from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, for whom the fair is a ritual handed down across generations. It includes taking a dip in the Sarayu river and visiting temples across the town. The ninth and final day, believed to be Ram’s birthday, will see the biggest crowds.

“The mela will be held as per schedule,” announced Anuj Kumar Jha, the district magistrate of Ayodhya, on March 16, overruling concerns raised by the chief medical officer of the district, Dr Ghanshyam Singh, a day before. Singh had suggested cancelling the mela because the health staff would not be able to screen attendees at such a large gathering.

“We will take all precautions, issue advisory to the devotees, but there is no talk of cancelling the event,” said Jha, who is also one of the trustees of the recently constituted trust that will oversee the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The Adityanath government, on its part, has stayed silent on why it is disregarding the effective practice of discouraging large gatherings to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19. The government’s spokesperson, Avneesh Awasthi, did not respond to Newslaundry’s calls and messages seeking comment on why the mela was being allowed to go ahead.

Dr RK Gupta, the state’s additional director of health for communicable diseases, said, “We have issued an advisory that all mass gatherings must be avoided. The advisory also urges people not to travel unnecessarily. I think people should avoid attending the fair.”

But many devotees might not have access to such information, or ignore it due to their faith. Gupta insisted, “The government is taking all steps to handle the event. Anyway, the situation is being reviewed by the government.”

Hemant Tiwari, a political analyst, told Newslaundry that Adityanath is set to review the coronavirus situation on March 20, and a decision on the Ayodhya mela might be taken then.

Political considerations

Ayodhya has topped the Bharatiya Janata Party’s agenda since the party came to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017. In fact, the construction of a grand Ram Temple in the city has been hot button issues for the party since 1988.

Hindutva groups led by the VHP are working hard to turn this year’s fair into a megaevent in view of the commencement of the Ram temple’s construction. The VHP was at the forefront of the Ram Temple agitation so footfall is likely to go up to celebrate this “victory”.