JAIPUR: It seems that night curfew does not apply on temples in the city. As on Tuesday, most of them remained opened after 8 pm and people were seen praying outside and inside the shrines.
In Walled City, all shops were shut except a few medical shops as allowed by the authorities, but temples remained open and in a few people were seen doing kirtans.
In Chandpol Hanuman ji temple, numerous two-wheelers were parked on the road and people were seen standing inside the temple. “We are not allowing people to stand closely. It’s their faith, they are still visiting,” said a priest.
Similarly, in a temple at Chaura Raasta, the crowd was sitting having annakoot (prashad) without wearing masks. People were coming and going without any fear and police officials on patrol merely ignored it.
Home secretary N L Meena said no religious places were allowed to remain open after 8 pm. “We have closed down all the marketplaces and businesses. Except essential services, no place is allowed to open. If this is happening, it will be dealt strictly,” said Meena.
Although medicine shops were open, people reaching the shops had to face trouble as taxis weren’t available. At many places, barricading wasn’t done properly and police weren’t checking people.
As the wedding season has started, hundreds of weddings are lined up in the city. Around 7.30pm at many places, people were seen shopping for various items till the last minute.
Deepak Sharma, a wedding planner, was seen purchasing flowers at Choti Chaupar. “The government should at least provide us with some relaxation,” said Sharma.
A tailor shop was open in which a few women were doing last-minute alterations for weddings to be held on Thursday.