Indian business tycoon Anand Mahindra has posted a video showing Mumbai Police punishing people who have elected not to wear a mask by making them squat-walk on the road.
The clip shows a bunch of people struggling to keep their balance as they try to squat-walk under the scorching sun, a sight Mahindra finds “comical”.
However, Mahindra's flippant take on the episode went down badly among netizens who not only rebuked him for being insensitive about public issues but also criticised Mumbai Police, accusing them of abusing their power and physically assaulting citizens during the ongoing heatwave in India, rather than just fining and warning them as the city protective guidelines direct.
Given the critical COVID situation, in February Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh introduced a fine of INR 200 (approximately $2) for anybody walking around without a mask (see https://sputniknews.com/india/202102121082041500-coronavirus-precautions-still-needed-to-avoid-next-wave-say-indian-medical-experts).
According to data from Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), residents of India’s financial capital have paid more than $4 million in fines for not wearing masks between 24 February and 22 March.
Although the vaccination drive against coronavirus is continuing throughout India, the number of cases is also increasing daily.