Take Action Against Any Attempt To Take Out Kanwar Yatra: SC To UP Govt
Mumbai: The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to take strict action against any attempt to take out the Kanwar Yatra, flouting COVID-19 norms, after the UP government cancelled it amid warning of the possible third wave of COVID-19.
The top court advised the Uttar Pradesh authorities to take immediate action to prevent any action endangering the lives of citizens at all levels, including the police.
The court took on record the statement of the Uttar Pradesh government that it has decided to cancel the Kanwar Yatra this year and took suo moto cognizance of it against UP’s earlier decision to organize the Kanwar Yatra amid COVID-19. After this, the case is believed to be closed.
The court had said that it cannot allow the Uttar Pradesh government to “organize 100 per cent physical Kanwar Yatra in the light of COVID-19” and remarked that religious sentiments are subject to the right to life.
A bench of Justices RF Nariman and BR Gava said, “The health of the citizens of India and their right to life is paramount. All other sentiments, whether religious, are subject to this most basic fundamental right.”
While the Uttarakhand government had cancelled the yatra to prevent Haridwar from becoming a hotspot for Kanwariyas after the Kumbh Mela threat, the Delhi government on Sunday also cancelled the yatra following a Supreme Court order. Rajasthan is another state which has cancelled the Kanwar Yatra this year citing COVID-19 apprehensions.
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