SC stays this year’s Puri’s Rath Yatra due to COVID-19
| Date :19-Jun-2020 |
NEW DELHI ;
If Rath Yatra is allowed huge congregation of people will take place, exposing them to higher risk of infection by coronavirus, said senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the petitioner NGO
THE Supreme Court on Thursday stayed this year’s historic Puri Rath Yatra starting from June 23 as also the related activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that “Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow” it. A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices Dineesh Maheshwari and A S Bopanna said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year’s Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha can’t be allowed. “Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow this year’s Rath Yatra to go on”, CJI Bobde said, adding that as such a huge gathering can’t take place during the pandemic.
The bench asked the Odisha Government not to allow the yatra or pilgrimage procession and the related activities anywhere in the state to avoid the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner NGO, said that if Rath Yatra is allowed huge congregation of people will take place, exposing them to higher risk of infection by coronavirus. The bench said it is a serious matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that it needs time till Friday to file the reply.
A counsel appearing for an intervenor said the Odisha Government has issued a notification that there shall be no public gathering till June 30. However, the bench said that it is staying the festival starting from June 23. Two pleas have been moved in the top court seeking to cancel or postponement of the historic ‘Rath Yatra’. The top court’s order came on a PIL filed by Odisha based NGO seeking cancellation or postponement of this year’s Rath Yatra, which continues for 10 to 12 days and is attended by millions of devotees from across the world.
