Not celebrating Holi is not the end of the world

People celebrate Holi at Mahim on March 10, 2020. File pic

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation banning Holi celebrations has got to be among the wisest moves by the civic body. The forced proximity that the celebrations entail could see all the progress made in pandemic mitigation come undone in the city.

The government was even forced to invoke the Epidemic Diseases Act, which was formulated during the bubonic plague. This shows just how seriously we need to view the current spike in cases. As of Tuesday, new cases in Mumbai had touched a troubling 3,552. While the authorities say this is because of increased testing, what it proves is that people are still walking around with the virus. We have reiterated this innumerable times in this edit that while we may not exhibit any symptoms, we are still potential super spreaders and could very well be the reason for a loved one's demise.

In addition to being a pandemic nuisance, Holi celebrations have become dangerous, too, over the years. Last year, Holi was celebrated just before the lockdown and ended up landing 42 people in hospital with various injuries. The colours used have gotten more toxic to increase their long-lasting effect. Chemicals such as Aluminium Bromide and Mercury Sulphite are known carcinogens while Copper Sulphate and Prussian Blue are toxic to humans. The festival as it is celebrated in the city should be banned forever. It is only being used by drunken elements as an excuse to harass women and those who wish to have nothing to with it. Now, is as good a time as any to formulate stricter rules regarding Holi.

Finally, the civic body has warned that even celebrating the festival with family members is not allowed. Those thinking that no one will know, need to understand that these rules are not being formulated because the authorities have a lot of free time on their hands. You could be as much part of the problem as the solution. Choose wisely.