It’s a matter of fact that Indian judiciary on countless occasions has stepped in, either suo motu or while acting on specific pleas issuing directives that proved to be ‘saviours’ for people. Amid the current Covid 2.0 crisis when survival of people seems to be at stake, one such moment has arrived. At a time when as many as six High Courts are hearing petitions related to the crises of oxygen, beds and antiviral drug Remdesivir across hospitals simultaneously which is unprecedented indeed in the country’s judicial history, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday stepped in, taking suo motu cognisance of the situation which by now has entered its darkest phase. Although over the past 9 days newer records were created, only to be broken on the succeeding day, Thursday was extraordinary since India emerged as the world leader in terms of new ‘contributions’- both in terms of additions and deaths. With 3.14 lakh new cases and 2,104 deaths in the preceding 24 hours which is the fastest rise in cases and deaths any country has seen, both during Covid 1.0 and 2.0, the most-grim global milestone has been reached by India.

Over the last few days, the HCs dealing with Covid-related petitions, particularly Delhi HC have actually become the voice of the people amongst whom there is now a brewing anger and overflowing reprimand over the way things are handled. While holding a special hearing on Wednesday, Delhi HC lambasted the Centre over ‘on-ground realities’, reminding of its onus to provide oxygen to the medical facilities in Delhi. “We are shocked and dismayed that the government does not seem to be seeing the reality… What is happening? Why is the government not waking up to the reality... Beg, borrow or steal. It is a national emergency” - to quote a few of the lines the two-judge Division Bench said.  In a new development, the SC while terming the evolving situation a ‘national emergency-like’ has asked the Centre to submit its plan on Covid preparedness, including details of the nationwide vaccination drive, the hearing on which is scheduled on Friday. It needs to be seen if more decisive actions are rolled out now after this unprecedented concerted judicial intervention to mitigate the mounting woes of a hapless populace, to whom the issue of survival  is now entirely on destiny’s hand.  

Arunachal must double the efforts it gave during the first wave and as the new strain has more spreading capabilities, the foremost task should be to ensure extra filtering mechanism at the check gates, the primary routes for entry of prospective carriers. Escalating numbers do create fright, but it’s time not to lose nerves. Accelerate vaccination and testing and compel citizens to observe all SOPs.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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