Revenue Minister R Ashoka, seconded by CM himself, bats for ban on college programmes in aftermath of Covid cluster reported from Dharwad college
Chief Secretary Ravi Kumar reasons that when govt cannot control crowds at Bengaluru’s Palace Grounds or at theatres and malls, banning college fests is not fair
BENGALURU:
The Karnataka government finds itself divided over whether to ban cultural events in colleges, following a 300-strong Covid-positive cluster reported from Dharwad’s SDM College after a Freshers’ Day function on November 17. The startling discord within the administration came to the fore at a videocon on the Covid situation convened by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday, when Revenue Minister R Ashoka was all for a ban on college cultural programmes and was seconded by the CM himself. However, Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar struck a defiant note against his political bosses by opposing such a move.
Making his case, Ravi Kumar said it would be inappropriate as well as difficult to ban college cultural programmes, noting that “we do not have any control over marriages happening at Bengaluru’s Palace Grounds.”
‘Economy booming again’
Furthermore, the Chief Secretary said, “The economy has started booming and thinking of a ban on any kind of activities at this stage won’t be appropriate. Though people are not seen wearing masks, we can issue another reminder to the public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. But banning or asking colleges to postpone cultural activities won’t be good.”
Ravi Kumar noted, “We have opened theatres and shopping malls, where we do not have any control over human movement. Also, in Bengaluru’s Palace Grounds, 2,000-3,000 people are attending marriage ceremonies, much more than the permitted number. Then, we should not ban cultural activities in colleges.”
Also Read: If no nod from Centre by Dec 1, Karnataka will take call on vaccine booster dose: CM
Let marriages be held virtually!
Joining the debate, Revenue Minister R Ashoka said more people might be attending marriages but “it is only for a few minutes” and not for more than three hours as with college cultural events.
The Chief Secretary, who has served Karnataka for nearly 38 years, responded by pointing out that movies in theatres also run for three hours, and if at all there is a ban on cultural activities in colleges, a decision should be taken on theatres also. “Even marriages can be conducted virtually,” he said (perhaps tongue-in-cheek!).
