Social Distancing norms in Assam goes for a toss as politicians, thousands of people attend MLA’s father’s funeral

Social distancing norms and regulations went for a toss in Assam as Congress legislator, Pradyut Bordoloi along with thousands of others accumulated at the janaja (funeral) ceremony of Dhing MLA Amirul Islam’s father in Nonagaon’s Juria on Thursday.

Mufti Khairul Islam, the deceased father of the incumbent MLA was a well-known name in the Islamic religious sect, besides being the Vice President of the All India Jamiat Ulema. A veteran religious leader, he had been suffering from kidney and heart problems. He took his last breath on Wednesday.

Besides Borodoloi, a large crowd gathered on Thursday to witness the funeral of Mufti, violating social distancing norms and government guidelines amid the pandemic which has claimed thousands of lives in the country.

A large portion of the crowd was seen moving around without masks.

At a time, when the Coronavirus pandhas created havoc worldwide, commoners have slammed the district administration for allowing such a gathering to take place, especially as the Union Health Ministry had previously issued guidelines stating that not more than 20 people should be present at social events like funerals and marriages.

The Assam Health Ministry has allowed not more than 10 people to gather in funerals.

A resident of the Nonagaom district termed Congress MLA as ‘irresponsible’ as a political leader for flouting safety protocols.

Rejecting all allegations, Borodoloi said, “Mufti Khairul Islam was a celebrated religious leader, which invited people from all across to attend his funeral ceremony. 

Everybody present in the funeral was wearing face masks. People have deep emotional connections with him and I,  too, am one of them.“

Mufti was also the Aamir-e-Shariat from North-East India.