Thousands of women violate COVID protocol on priests call to ‘stop COVID-19’ in Gujarat
Priest claimed COVID-19 was happening because gods were angry and women should offer water to them
Sanand (Gujarat): Thousands of women on Tuesday violated the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines in Sanand in the Ahmedabad district. The women reportedly undertook a religious gathering to offer water at the Baliyadev Temple.
The mass religious gathering was mobilized after local priest’s claim that COVID-19 was happening because the ‘gods are angry’. The women conducted the pooja and offered water at the Navapura and Nidharada village in Sanand Taluka.
Visuals of the gathering showing women marching to offer water while DJ playing music has gone viral across social media platforms. In the video, most of the people can be seen flouting the COVID-19 rules and not wearing face masks in the gathering.
According to reports, Changodar police went to the Navapura Village to investigate the matter. The police found out that the women had gathered near the Baliyadev Temple. However, the police have now taken action against 23 people in Navapura village, including the village sarpanch. In addition, action has also been taken against the person who was playing music as well as the organizer of the mass religious gathering.
Thousands thronged a religious #festival in #Sanand without masks and #social #distancing even as the #Gujarat government has imposed a #Mini #Lockdown till May 12#Covid #Covid19
— Ahmedabad Mirror (@ahmedabadmirror) May 5, 2021
Video Source : Amit Mishra @Amitjanhit pic.twitter.com/9XLZULJ40U
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
