Covid-19 Can Wait, But Not Birthday So Karnataka MLA 'Masala Jayaram' Threw A Gala Party

UPDATE: April 12 - A case is registered but MLA has not been named as an accused as "he was in the village only to spread Covid19 awareness" and wasn't present when birthday was celebrated. His supporters have been booked.

Amid the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India, people have been asked not to venture out and not gather in groups to reduce the risk of catching the infection or passing it to others.

But for some absurd reason, some people are so convinced that the virus, that has affected more than 1.5 million and claimed more than 1,00,000 lives around the world, will somehow exempt them.

So they go around with life like any other day. Case in point Karnataka MLA Masala Jayaram (AS Jayaram).

In total disregard for the lockdown norms, the BJP MLA lavishly celebrated his birthday with over 100 people.

ANI

On Friday, he invited people of his Turuvekere Assembly constituency in Tumakuru district to join him his birthday celebrations.

Images from the MLA's birthday celebrations showed him cutting the cake and the 'guests' were served biryani and cake.

ANI

Deccan Chronicle reported that the MLA even delivered a speech to the gathering, telling them how important it was to beat back the coronavirus.

¡°We do not know how the virus spreads. Social distancing is vital. ¡°Please wash your hands regularly with warm water,¡± he reportedly said.

So far, Karnataka has seen over 200 coronavirus cases with at least six deaths, including one in Tumkuru.

Jayaram is not the first Karnataka politicians to violate the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

In mid-March, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had attended a wedding in Belagavi where around 2,000 guests were present.

BCCL

He along with state home minister, Basavaraj Bommai, and the MP from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, Shobha Karandlaje and others had attended the wedding of BJP MLC Mahantesh Kavatgimath's daughter, days after his own government announced a lockdown in the state.

Recently there was another similar incident in Maharashtra, where some 200 people had assembled outside the house of BJP MLA from Wardha Dadarao Keche on his birthday.

According to reports, the MLA, Dadarao Keche, had announced that he will distribute wheat and rice outside his house to celebrate his birthday. As the news spread, some 200 people assembled outside his residence, in blatant violation of the lockdown norms.

BCCL/FILE

Confirming the incident, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Harish Dharmik said the Keche, will face action under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Keche told media that on his birthday he had decided to distribute foodgrain to 21 people outside his residence, but some political opponents circulated the message among people which resulted in the mass gathering.