The Supreme Court has refused to interfere in the Odisha Government’s order of confining Rath Yatra only to Puri’s Jagannath Temple in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court has refused to interfere in the Odisha government’s order barring Rath Yatra at any temple other than Puri’s Jagannath temple due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even the Jagannath Temple in Puri been ordered to hold a very restricted yatra.
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said the state government has evaluated the Covid situation and there is no question of interfering. “I myself used to go for the puja. Hopefully next year God will allow us to see. Till then watch it on TV,” the CJI said.
“You want to pray to God. You can do it from home. I also wanted to go to Puri, but I couldn’t in the last one and half years. This isn’t the time,” the CJI said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had suggested that yatras can be allowed by limiting numbers and imposing restrictions.
“We hope God will allow us to see the rituals next year,” the CJI said, dismissing all applications.
The Odisha government had announced that devotees will be barred from participating in the annual Rath Yatra, which will only be held in Puri amid strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said the Odisha government has decided to impose similar restrictions like last year during Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to be held on July 12.
“This year also, Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra will be held sans devotees in Puri. The administration has prohibited similar celebrations in other parts of the state,” Jena said.
He added that all guidelines of the Supreme Court, issued last year, will have to be followed while observing the rituals on the occasion.
