Massive turnout at fish prasadam event sparks fear of COVID-19 spread

A large crowd gathers for the ‘Fish Prasadam’ event in Hyderabad on June 8, 2025. | Photo Credit: G. Ramakrishna

Even as COVID-19 cases climb across India, faith drew over one lakh people to Hyderabad’s Nampally exhibition grounds from June 7 to 9 for the annual fish prasadam event, a ritual believed to provide relief from asthma and respiratory ailments. The Bathini Goud family, custodians of this practice, organised the programme and administered live murrel fish laced with a secret herbal paste to eager attendees, undeterred by the rising infection count.

India’s active COVID-19 caseload crossed 6,800 as of Tuesday (June 10, 2025). Gujarat alone reported 1,109 new cases in a single day, while Kerala topped the chart with over 2,000 active infections. Neighbouring States Maharashtra (613), Karnataka (559) and Andhra Pradesh (86) also saw worrying upticks, prompting fears of a super-spreader event.

On the ground, this reporter saw a stark mismatch between precaution and participation. Mask vendors dotted the venue’s periphery, but few takers were seen. Fewer still wore them. Well-organised queues offered little solace as social distancing collapsed in sheds and food lines, where neither volunteers nor recipients observed basic safety protocols.

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) deployed 142 buses to transport devotees, while organisers prepared 1.5 lakh fish fingerlings. “However, only 60,000 fish were administered, a figure consistent with last year’s turnout,” said T. Srinivas, deputy director of Fisheries (Inland), Telangana Fisheries Department.

Authorities also set up medical camps to handle emergencies. On June 7, six teams, each with a doctor and four staff, were stationed, scaling up to 15 teams having 75 personnel the next day. By June 9, six teams remained. Over three days, 1,248 people received treatment for discomfort, with 11 referred to Osmania General Hospital, all of whom have since recovered, said Hyderabad District Medical and Health Officer J. Venkat.

The health official said that while there is no direct evidence yet linking the event to a spike in COVID-19 cases, its sheer scale and timing are concerning. “The incubation period means any transmission from June 7 to 9 may only now reflect in case numbers later. Telangana, already managing rising infections, could face further strain if cases emerge from the event,” he explained.

Published - June 11, 2025 05:56 am IST