What is Janata Curfew that PM Narendra Modi suggested: Coronavirus Impact

• Modi declared a Janta curfew on March 22nd (Sunday) where 1.3 billion Indians will have to stay home between 7 am and 9 pm.
• “It is a curfew by the public and for the public,” said Modi during his address to the nation on March 19.
• He urged the nation that this is not the time to be complacent about the impending Coronavirus crisis.
• On the day of the Janata Curfew, Modi urged everyone to step out onto their balconies at 5 pm sharp and with the sound of a siren, clap for all those who are working day and night to help others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that on March 22nd (Sunday), 1.3 billion Indians will have to head for a self imposed curfew (Janata curfew) from 7 am to 9 pm. “It is a curfew by the public and for the public,” said Modi during his address to the nation on March 19.

Modi’s speech seems to raise awareness among people and increase social distancing without using the iron hand of the government. Modi believes that the curfew would be experimental in nature and the reaction would indicate our preparedness if things spiralled down.

While the one-day voluntary lockdown on Sunday seems to be symbolic at this stage, Modi’s speech also had hints of a possible extension. "I want a few weeks of my citizens' time," Modi said before revealing his proposal.

In his special address dedicated to tackling the spread of coronavirus, Modi urged the nation to avoid being complacent. This is because people at large did not adhere to required standards of social isolation that is needed to curb the pandemic. “Don’t be content that we have escaped the global pandemic and not be assured that all is well. We should all be alert and aware,” he said.

In countries, the disease has exploded, he pointed out stressing that it would be wrong to assume that a developing nation like India will be immune to this global pandemic.

On the designated day of Janata Curfew, that is March 22, PM Modi also asked all Indians to spare a thought for all those who are working relentlessly to help others during the crisis. He urged everyone to step out onto their balconies at 5 pm sharp and with the sound of a siren, clap for all those who are working day and night to help others.

As coronavirus cases have been rising in India, state governments had already declared schools and colleges to shut down, malls, theatres and pubs too were asked to be shut until March 31. Over 2 million IT employees were asked to work from home, and soon working remotely became a norm as companies decided to put their employees first.

However, this is a first for the young generation of India, to be forced to stay at home. And Modi reminded millennials about how the older generations have seen wars during which people were homebound.

“It could be possible that the younger generation is not aware of many things of the past. When I was young, during war, lights were off, windows were shaded and people used to keep vigil and even there was no war, municipalities used to hold a drill,” he reminisced about earlier days and the level of preparedness of citizens.

India’s total number of coronavirus cases has shot up to 186, and four people have died from it.



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