Mysore/Mysuru: The so called ‘strict instruction’ from the State Government to limit the crowds inside the Mysore Palace during Vijayadashami procession remained only on paper with politicians, Police and officials themselves flouting the rules in full public view.
In their enthusiasm to allow only a select crowd inside the Palace, they allowed each and every one who boasted about their powerful connections inside the Palace. Only the common man and tourists were left stranded outside the gates. Though the gates were closed, hundreds of vehicles claiming to be owned by the VIPs and their relatives entered the Palace and there was no one to stop them.
Rules applied only to the common Mysurean while all the others with connections had a field day inside the Palace and near the caparisoned elephants. As per conservative estimates, there were more than 10,000 people inside the Palace while an equal number was waiting outside just to get a glimpse of the passing ‘Jumboo Savari’ within the Palace fortress. Thousands of people converged at the Balarama Gate of the Palace to try their luck in seeing the procession.
The District Administration had made arrangements for over 2,000 people inside the Palace and galleries were set up to accommodate them for a good view of the procession. A million dollar question is, however, who allowed more than 10,000 people inside the Palace though there were no passes, tickets and the likes to ensure only the ‘deserved’ get inside.
In the instruction manual issued by the Government, it was mentioned that all the people including duty-bound Policemen who are entering the Palace premises must mandatorily have an RT-PCR test certificate.
This rule was given a go-by as many VIP SUVs were spotted ferrying relatives, friends and followers after the driver had a word with Policemen manning the Palace entry gates and no questions were asked.
Rules are for only an ordinary citizen. If you have “connection” sub chalta hai
Shame on the connected and the connections.
Dasara : By the tax payers and for the politicians/bureaucrats.
Mysore Dassera has been a joke of late, but the circus goes on year after year. What a way to celebrate Jumboo savari with 500 invities. What the administration forgot was that each invitee had 10 persons in tow, it would make 5000. Looks like the organisers have forgotten elementary maths. CM had his own band of chamchas , running into 1000. There were 500 cops to manage 500 invities. Each cop had his own band of 10 persons. The total became 11000. I have not included press and their team. A rough estimate would be 15000 strong crowd, wasting 2-3 hrs to watch a tamasha lasting only 45 minutes. This can happen only in India. Where people have freetime to watch the fun by hook or crook.
SOM should be congratulated for having published this news item critical of the policy of only 500 being totally neglected. Who is now going to file a compliant for such flagrant violation of rule which was made to protect the people? This is not an ordinary time. When all of us are expected to wear masks, maintain social distancing to stop the pandemic, how can such an important rule be ignored. Officials concerned should be held responsible. Will our elected representatives force such an inquiry?