‘We Need A Place To Serve’: As India’s COVID-19 Cases Spiral, Faith Groups Step Up

“Social service is our duty. We have to come forward,” said Manjinder Singh Sirsa, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. “At times like this people look towards religious bodies.” Gurdwaras in Delhi have been home delivering two meals a day for more than 4,000 patients, have provided rations to poor families and have also offered their guest houses to be used as hospital facilities.

Religion is integral to daily life in this country of 1.2 billion, 80% of whom are Hindu, with large minority populations of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and Jains. “This is an unprecedented crisis and the state has to take the lead, but individuals, civil society and religious groups can all play a role,” said Anant Bhan, a researcher in global health, bioethics and health policy. “Whether in addressing misinformation, sourcing supplies or leveraging community strength. The health system is struggling and certainly needs help.”

Not all religious leaders, who have enormous influence, have behaved responsibly during the pandemic, with several large faith gatherings last year resulting in infection clusters.

But local houses of worship have stepped up to meet burgeoning needs. “Our gurudev inspired us that right now is not the time to go to the temple and pray to God; right now is time to support people. That would be your real prayers,” said Parag Shah, a volunteer with the Arham Yuva Seva, a Jain volunteer organization that has turned community centers and temples into hospitals in Mumbai and in Gujarat, 400 miles to the north.

“This is the time for people to step up and give whatever resources they have, premises or money or a helping hand,” said Shah.

In Ghaziabad, outside Delhi, the local gurdwara has arranged an “oxygen langar” — using the Hindi word for a free food kitchen — where patients can drive in and be placed on oxygen support until they stabilize or find a hospital bed.

In Puri, the trust running the Jagannatha Temple has turned one of its properties into a COVID-19 care center. In Delhi, the Students Islamic Organization of India is operating a 24-hour help line to connect patients across India with verified resources such as oxygen and plasma.

In and around Mumbai, the nonprofit Red Crescent Society of India has with the help of mosques been booking, storing and refilling oxygen cylinders. With mosques scattered across the city, and with large premises to spare, this has been ideal.

“With mosques shut for prayers, the authorities quickly came forward to support us,” said Dr. Azimuddin Sayed, secretary of the nonprofit. “What better use could there be for such spaces than to serve humanity?”

He added, “This is happening from the masjids, but we are working for all human beings.”

All of these groups said they were helping people from all religious backgrounds. “All of (our centers) are open for patients, human patients, we don’t have any bar for religion, caste, creed, gender,” said Shah.

Experts predict the active COVID-19 cases will peak in mid-May, but these faith organizations have no time limit in mind. Sirsa said they were willing to pitch in an “unlimited” period.

“We are seriously hoping it isn’t open too long and corona(virus) goes away,” said Shah, but “we are happy to support the community for as long as required.”