A fight of the racist

#culture vs #COVID19

The question is what is right the government or the #community ? #ratomachindranath is a cultural heritage & it  cannot be overlooked but in #crisis there should be a middle way of saving #culture than #fighting. Who are we fighting with ? 

The chariot pulling festival of Rato machindra Jatra saw a clear tussle of power and culture. On one hand the government in view of COVID19 tried to stopped the locals from pulling the chariot where as on the other local fought back with the police in voicing out their issue of culture and tradition. 

 Due to the strict measures amid COVID-19, the festival was fast-tracked and agreement the  chariot of Rato Macchindranath was pulled up to Sorhakhutte Falcha, in front of Lalitpur Metropolitan Office. The 'Red God' will be toured around the city and then taken back to Bungamati by September 11.

"Many people claimed that Lord Machindranath has faced a lot of pain as it was left under a scorching sun. These claims compelled people to believe that unpleasant situations will arise if Lord Machindranath gets angry," Mana Maya Mulmi, one of the member of Jatra organising committee told ANI.

Amid the COVID-19, Bhaktapur has called off its Bisket Jatra while Kathmandu has called off its Indra Jatra. Similarly, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur jointly called off the Gai Jatra.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed in Pulchowk to prevent any large gathering of people amid the pandemic. Only some designated local people and volunteers were allowed to be in the area on Sunday.

Chariot procession of Rato Machindranath also called as "Bunga Dugh" in Newari meaning the God of Rain and Harvest is the longest Jatra in Nepal, which runs on for months depending widely on astronomy.