New Delhi: The Supreme Court on
Tuesday said it would not interfere with an Odisha government order limiting
this year's Rath Yatra to the Puri Jagannath Temple (which can only hold the
iconic chariot festival on July 12, and under strict rules) due to concern over
the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
The top court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging
the state government's decision, which had been upheld by the Odisha High Court
last month. The petitioners wanted Rath Yatras to be held in Kendrapara and
Bargarh districts of the state, as well as Puri.
A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana
studied the state's decision in light of the Covid situation in Odisha and
across the country, and dismissed all petitions.
“We hope and trust God will allow the Rath Yatra next time,”
the Chief Justice said.
“I also go to Puri every year... but have not gone for the
last one-and-a-half years. I do puja at home... it can be done at home. (The
state) government has taken the right decision,” he added.
Apart from challenges from members of the public, the centre had
also challenged the Odisha government's decision. Additional Solicitor General
Tushar Mehta said the festivals could be held - without upsetting health
protocols - by limiting attendees and imposing restrictions.
However, the Supreme Court - which last year allowed the Rath
Yatra (again, only in Puri) after laying down very strict rules about the
number of people who could take part - was not swayed.
The Odisha government had warned the top court it would be
impossible to monitor and control crowds - to ensure use of face masks and
maintaining of social distance - across the state.
Last year, despite the threat of COVID-19, tens of thousands
gathered outside the iconic temple in Puri as the top court allowed the
seven-day chariot festival in a restricted fashion.
Among the restrictions imposed then was an order that the
state would announce a curfew when the chariots were being pulled, and that no
more than 500 people (including police and temple officials) could pull it any
given time.
“There shall be an interval of one hour between two chariots.
Each of those engaged in pulling... shall maintain social distancing before,
during and after...” the court had said.
The court had also said only those who had tested negative
for COVID-19 could take part.
The Rath Yatra from the Jagannath temple is attended by lakhs
of people from across the world.
Lord Jagannath is regarded as the supreme god and the
sovereign monarch of the Odisha empire.
During the celebrations, he comes out of his sanctum
sanctorum so devotees can see him. Temple officials claim that those who take
part in the festivity “earn their passage to the heaven”.
Odisha has reported nearly 10 lakh COVID-19 cases since the
pandemic began.
At the peak of the second wave the state reported over 12,000
cases in a day - a big jump from the earlier record of around 4,000 in 24
hours. This morning there were 2,800 new cases.
____________