Modi’s Silence on Essential Supplies During 21 Day National Lockdown Sets Off Panic

In his second address since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a national lockdown from midnight on March 24. The lockdown will last for 21 days, he said, without mentioning how critical services were going to be maintained and essential supplies delivered and bought during this period if people are not meant to step outside the ‘Laxman rekha’of their front door.

The lack of details in Modi’s speech on this crucial point resulted in an almost nationwide spike in panic. Not only did the prime minister fail to mention concrete modalities on how the lockdown would allow for essential services and supplies to reach people, he left many people wondering whether all they would have to see themselves though till April 14 were the food and essentials already in their homes.

As soon as the speech ended, neighbourhoods and markets across the country saw a sudden rise in traffic and footfalls as people rushed to stock up on supplies, with concerns about social distancing – the goal of the lockdown in the first place – temporarily being ignored.…

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