Coronavirus In India: First Day Of Lockdown Filled With Confusion & Punishment Across The Nation

The world’s largest shutdown began on March 25 when India started with its 21 days lockdown announced by PM Narendra Modi. Amid concerns over supply of essentials, first day of lockdown was filled with confusion and punishment. Confusion over the term ‘essential goods’ prevailed widely across the country with many trying to find loopholes and police trying to enforce lockdown. Despite continuous announcements and warnings by the state and central governments on maintaining social distancing and staying at home, many people in Karnataka chose to step out of their houses. Similarly, women in Paharganj, Delhi refused to maintain social distancing as they stood in queue outside a bank. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, two police constables were brutally thrashed after they stopped a motorist for over-speeding. Ambiguity over which shops would be categorised as selling essential goods and which not prevailed at many places across the nation. The number of cases in India crossed the 600 mark with 13 deaths being reported.