Amid COVID-19, Peaks Auto owner to hold singing event in Valley

SRINAGAR — People from Kashmir valley, especially Anantnag and Baramulla, are criticising the government’s move to allow a music concert by a prominent singer and BJP parliament member Hans Raj Hans, amid COVID pandemic.

The concert is being organized by the owner of Peaks Autos, Balwinder Singh in Baramulla and Anantnag on 29th and 30th of this month.

“The entertainment programme by Hans Raj Hans amid surge in COVID-19 cases is worrisome. How can government allow such a gathering when there is every chance of spread of Coronavirus. The government has so far remained silent on the conduct of this upcoming event and they should not let it happen if other religious gatherings have already been banned to stop the spread of COVID,” said a local.

Many question the wisdom of government over allowing this event when the Shia community has already decided not to hold any mass gathering to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

“The silence of government over holding of this event tells about the dual policies of administration. If on one hand the Shia community has not been allowed to carry out a mourning procession, how would they even allow people to gather for an entertainment event?” questioned another local.

The government should immediately issue an order banning such event in view of COVID-19 pandemic and prevent any spread of this disease among the Sikh brethren. The event is only being allowed as the singer is a BJP MP, he added.