New Delhi, March 18 A Supreme Court judge on Wednesday made an unusual remark on the outbreak of the coronavirus, terming it an outcome of "Ghor Kalyug".
The WHO has declared the outbreak a global pandemic, with the total number of deaths due to coronavirus across the world crossing the 8,000 mark on Wednesday, and cases going well above the 200,000. India has reported more than 150 cases and three people have died already.
Justice Arun Mishra, the third senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, during the hearing of a matter remarked that the coronavirus outbreak took place because it is "Kalyug", therefore leading a fight to contain its outbreak further, is really a tall order. The pandemic has led India to self-quarantine while confining millions across the globe to their homes, thus sharply cutting down movement of people and bringing life in many cities to a standstill.
Justice Mishra, while responding to a query from a lawyer on conducting hearing only on most important matters, said in "Ghor Kalyug", it is difficult to fight back the virus.
"This mahamari (epidemic) is happening in every 100 years. Ghor kalyug mein virus se hum fight nahi kar sakte (We can't fight a virus in this extreme form of kaalyug)."
"See the frailty of humans. You may do anything and everything, you may devise all weapons. But, you can't fight this virus, and we have to fight this at our own level."
Continuing his remarks on the outbreak of the virus, Justice Mishra said everybody should fight the virus, and not just the government. He insisted the containment of the virus is possible if we fight at an individual level.
Justice M.R. Shah, who was also on the bench with Justice Mishra, requested the Bar Association, insisting on decongestion in the courtroom, that a senior advocate should only come with one advocate. To avoid overcrowding is beneficial for all of us, he said.
Justice Mishra added: "You have to fight for yourself, not anyone else."
Last week, in a high-level meeting attended by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde it was decided that the apex court will only hear the most urgent cases. Out of regular 15 benches, only 6 benches are functioning currently. Twelve cases are listed before each bench.
On Wednesday, the court said that going forward, only four benches will be functioning.
The apex court staff is extensively conducting thermal screening of all visitors, lawyers and litigants on the court complex, and it has already shut down cafeterias on the complex. The court administration has also adopted social distancing on the court complex.
( With inputs from IANS )