Indian government still lacks determination in the face of Covid-19 'tsunami'

A man with difficulty breathing is given free oxygen at a temple in Ghaziabad city, India on May 3. Photo: Reuters

India reported more than 400,000 new cases in a single day over the weekend, the highest number in a 24-hour period of any country. There are now calls for the government to take the most drastic steps, including a strict national lockdown, to reduce the number of infections. It does not necessarily have to be a six-month nationwide lockdown, but a temporary one to end the current cycle of infections. Prime Minister Modi has previously said that a national lockdown is the last resort, but “we must try to avoid this scenario”.

Images of mass cremation sites, severely overloaded hospitals, patients gasping for breath, desperate cries due to lack of medicine and oxygen tanks… continue to flood social media, causing fear and obsession.

In India, people are paying between 20,000 and 25,000 rupees (about $250-330) for an oxygen cylinder, which previously cost only 150 to 200 rupees (about $2).

Social media has largely been the only place people can call for help and find oxygen tanks. But the Indian government has pressured social media platforms to remove posts, especially those critical of the government’s response to Covid-19.

Previously, according to CNN, on April 20, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the country was in a Covid-19 crisis. People expected an answer, a plan, and more. But instead, Prime Minister Modi expressed his grief for the entire country, but decided not to impose a nationwide lockdown. All of this is just empty statements.

Relatives of Covid-19 patients wait to refill oxygen tanks in Manesar, India. Photo: CNN

Despite the pandemic, local elections in India are still going on. Most of the participants, including leaders, gathered in huge crowds without wearing masks. Many people think that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party is more focused on building its image and retaining power than helping people overcome the crisis.

Media in India are sharing images of mass cremations and calling for accurate data on Covid-19 deaths. Most experts believe India is underreporting its numbers by two to five times.

CNN commented: “It is terrible that more than 211,00 people have died from the epidemic in India. No one has taken responsibility, no one has resigned. Nothing has changed, except the number of cases and deaths is increasing.”