Covid-19: SC stays Lord Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra

June 18, 2020

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed Lord Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra in Odisha this year, citing the prevalence of corona virus panedmic.

The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde on a plea filed by Odisha Vikas Parishad, says a report by LiveLaw. The Yatra was scheduled to take place on 23 June.

“We consider it appropriate that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens to restrain the Respondents from holding the Rath Yatra this year. We direct that no Rath Yatra will be held in the temple area of Odisha”, the Court ordered.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner submitted that congregation of nearly 10 lakh people in Bhubaneshwar cannot be allowed for the yatra amid the threat of COVID-19 spread.

Senior Advocate Harish Salve, who represented the State of Odisha, also said that stopping the festivities would be better.

Though some of the intervenors pleaded that rituals related to the Yatra should be permitted, the bench did not accept it.

The petitioner had submitted if Rath Yatra is allowed, it could lead to a ‘catastrophic’ spread of Covi-19 as lakhs of devotees participate in the Rath Yatra.

–India News Stream