Rising COVID-19 Cases and Shortage of Vaccines: Topics That Ruled Social Media Last Week
India is witnessing a second wave of coronavirus pandemic. The second wave is spreading on a larger scale and the caseload has considerably increased in a short period of time. India recorded 1,15,736 cases of coronavirus in a single day on Tuesday (April 6) -the highest daily cases recorded in a single day hitherto.
However, these challenging times did not stop women from sharing their opinions and strong messages through social media.
Amid the record surge, many Indian states have reported running out of vaccines even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government continues to insist there is enough stock. Journalist Rohini Singh was among the many who reported and reacted to this.
What was the need to export all those doses of vaccine for publicity and image building purposes at the cost of Indian citizens not getting vaccinated? Imagine if this had happened under the Manmohan Singh led UPA. https://t.co/w3OyHDYAp5
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) April 7, 2021
Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi too shared her concern online.
My response to the political statement from the https://t.co/7izg7PU0hX Min of India on the genuine issues raised by me a) to provide more vaccines to Maharashtra because of an effective vaccination drive b) to universalise vaccine to include everyone above 18 years of age. pic.twitter.com/m5gv4U6yBP
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 7, 2021
Meanwhile, Prime Minister has given a call to organise 'Tika Utsav' between April 11 and 14. He said that a challenging situation was emerging again due to COVID-19 and urged states to ramp up testing.
Many eminent personalities including Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani and Sanjukta Basu came forward to question the government regarding the new drive.
With more than one and a half lakh people dead and at least 6 states on record stating the shortage of the vaccine, how are we supposed to celebrate it ?
Tika Utsav, a festival?
Theatre of the absurd?— Arfa Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) April 9, 2021
When govt itself said vaccines are not to be given to anybody who wants it, only to those who need it then how can you do a #TikaUtsav? Utsav is meant to encourage everybody to do something. Modi is on a mission to push the boundaries of dumbness of the whole nation.
— Sanjukta Basu (@sanjukta) April 9, 2021
Last week also witnessed an encounter with Naxals in Chattisgarh, leading to a death of 17 jawans. Actor Swara Bhasker commented on this.
Tragic, Shameful and shocking.. violence can never be the path for justice or equality.. anyone who tells you that violence is imperative is only seeking revenge..
Condolences to the families of the deceased.. #ChhattisgarhNaxalAttack https://t.co/GXDBghAmM8— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) April 4, 2021
Noted journalist Rana Ayyub shared her views on the Kashi dispute, where the Varanasi Civil Court allowed the ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Setting the stage for demolition of yet another mosque in India, sanctioned by the judiciary, endorsed by the regime, abetted by the silence of its liberals and enabled by the complicity of the citizenry. Yet another day of humiliating the Muslim minority. Democracy anyone ? https://t.co/14AHCS3LYg
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) April 9, 2021