Negative RT-PCR, vaccine mandatory for officials, artists at Mysuru Dasara festival
Bengaluru(PTI): The Karnataka government has made a negative RT-PCR test report and at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine mandatory for officers and staff on duty and artists, who will perform during the world renowned Mysuru Dasara festival, commencing on Thursday.
"It has been made mandatory for all those who are participating in the festival including government officers and the staff on the duty, artists, security and media personnel to have a negative RT-PCR test report which will be done after October 4 and have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," Karnataka Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar said in his order.
The order further said that artists and members of cultural troupe will be given priority for conducting tests.
It also said that everyone attending and participating the event should wear mask, maintain social distancing and hand hygiene.
Noting that there will be a live telecast of Mysuru Dasara festival, the government said the large entry of public to the venue has been prohibited to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The state government has invited former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna to inaugurate the Dasara festival.
The nine-day event will see a host of cultural programmes. The star attraction will be 'Jambu Sawari' when the caparisoned elephants will march in front of the imposing Mysuru palace.
The festival attracts people from different parts of the world.
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Chhattisgarh: Scheduled Caste pastor’s burial blocked by villagers, son moves Supreme Court
Bastar: A farmer in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region has been unable to bury his father for the past 12 days due to opposition from villagers. The deceased, Subhash Baghel, a pastor from a Scheduled Caste (SC) community, had wished to be buried alongside his relatives in the village graveyard in Chhindawada. However, some residents opposed the burial, citing the family’s conversion to Christianity.
Ramesh Baghel, the pastor’s son, initially moved the Chhattisgarh High Court for permission to carry out the burial, but his plea was rejected on January 9, with the court citing potential law and order concerns. Following the setback, Baghel approached the Supreme Court, which has now sought a response from the state government by Monday.
“This is a clear case of religious discrimination,” said lawyer and human rights activist Degree Prasad Chouhan, who is assisting Baghel. He highlighted the increasing instances of discrimination against Christians in the Bastar region, particularly after the introduction of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Provisions (Extension of the Scheduled) Rules, 2021.
Baghel recounted the challenges his family has faced over the past two years, alleging that a political group has been inciting villagers to socially boycott Christians. “We have been denied work, my shop has been boycotted, and now we are not even allowed to bury our loved ones,” he said.
Despite the fact that Baghel’s grandfather and other relatives are buried in the same graveyard, the High Court suggested that the family use a Christian burial ground located 20–25 km away in Karkapal to avoid unrest. Baghel has also accused local police of siding with the villagers, further complicating the situation.
