SC issues notice to Centre, UP govt on state’s decision to hold Kanwar Yatra during Covid-19

Read Order: IN RE : ALARMING NEWSPAPER REPORT REGARDING KANWAR YATRA IN STATE OF U.P v. (Suo Motu) 

LE Staff

New Delhi, July 14, 2021: Taking suo motu cognizance of a newspaper report about the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to allow the Kanwar Yatra amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court today issued notice to the Central government and the state of UP seeking their response. 

The apex court posted the matter for further consideration on July 16.

A Bench of Justice Rohinton Nariman and Justice B R Gavai referred to a newspaper report by The Indian Express which stated that amid fears of a possible third wave of Covid-19, the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday suspended the Kanwar Yatra even as neighbouring Uttar Pradesh is pressing ahead with the annual ritual that sees heavy movement of pilgrims across states in the northern belt.

Saying that both judges were “a little disturbed” after reading the newspaper report, the Bench said, “This Court has taken Suo Moto cognizance of the newspaper report and thus issues notice to the Union of India and the States of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to file their early response.” 

The Bench observed that on being asked about the third wave of the Covid-19 virus striking the citizenry of India, the Prime Minister said that he cannot compromise “even a bit”.

“Given the disparate political voices, all speaking at the same time, it is important that the relevant Secretary, Union of India, respond to this news report. Given the fact that this Yatra is to take off from July 25, 2021, it is necessary to fix a short time period for this case,” observed the Bench. 

The Top Court therefore issued notice to the UP government asking as to why it permitted the Yatra in the wake of the pandemic, when the Uttarakhand Chief Minister had cancelled the same stating that people’s lives should be the priority and he did not want Haridwar to be the epicentre of the pandemic.