Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Even though the Uttarakhand government has cancelled the religious fest citing Covid fears, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday allowed the Kanwar Yatra to be held from July 25 citing that it is a matter related to the faith of crores of people. However, reacting to the UP government's decision the Supreme Court said that it was disturbed and issued notices to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh governments seeking their responses by Friday (July 16) morning as the yatra commences from July 25.
The Apex Court also asked for its order copy to be sent to the Chief Justice of India. In this regard, the Yogi Adityanath government's decision has raised several concerns from various quarters over the risk posed by such events in triggering a possible third wave of COVID-19. It looks like another Kumbh Mela is on the cards or will Supreme Court step in to avoid the spread of deadly virus during the event.
Meanwhile, UP CM Yogi Adityanath even spoke to his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Dhami, requesting him that finite number of devotees be allowed from UP to visit Haridwar for the Yatra, sources say. It is also learnt that the CM has instructed UP officials to ensure that only devotees following Covid protocols and those who obtain negative RT-PCR will only be allowed for the Yatra.
On the other hand, Dhami said "protection of people's lives comes first for us" and added that "we have stopped it in our state," clarifying the state government's position on the matter.
Jai Pratap Singh, the UP Minister for Health and Family Welfare, on being asked about SC having taken cognizance of the issue, speaking to the media told that the government would give a reply when the hearing takes place, adding that all guidelines and instructions specified by the Apex Court would be followed and that they have a good Covid management in place. It is because the tradition is followed every year that the UP govt has allowed the Yatra, Singh added.
Read: Kanwar yatra: UP govt wants minimum number of pilgrims; RT-PCR test can be made mandatory
The SC bench comprising of Justice RF Nariman and Justice BR Gavai said, "In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are a little disturbed with Wednesday's headline in the July 14 Indian Express newspaper about the Kanwar Yatra which is likely to be held from July 25." The apex court said that news just above this headline mentioned about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meet with the Chief Ministers of Northeastern states, wherein he said that it is the government's responsibility to stop the third wave and it cannot compromise even a little 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," said the court.
Reacting to the issue, the BJP says that this is a matter related to the faith of crores of people, so the state government has given permission for the Kanvar Yatra. BJP spokesperson Harish Chandra Srivastava said that there are several places linked to Lord Shiva in Uttar Pradesh, such as Gola Gokarna Nath in Lakhimpur and Lord Vishwanath in Kashi. Along with this, there are also other important places of Lord Shiva in many districts, where people would like to perform Jalabhishek. Hence, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave approval to take out the Kanwar Yatra, while ensuring strict Covid19 protocols and a mandatory negative RT-PCR report.
Read: SC asks UP govt to take clear stand on Kanwar Yatra
On the other hand, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced the cancellation of Kanwar Yatra following a high-level meeting. After considering the opinion of experts and having held in-depth discussions on the finding of the Delta Plus variant of COVID and its effects in the country and abroad, the Uttarakhand state government, gave top priority to the protection of human life.
Dhami had also directed the Secretary of Home and Director General of Police (DGP) to take appropriate action. He also instructed them to coordinate with the officials of the neighbouring states and to request them for effective action to tackle the pandemic. Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had urged the Uttarakhand Chief Minister to disallow the Kanwar Yatra this year in light of the possible third COVID-19 wave. In the letter, IMA Uttarakhand State Secretary Dr Ajay Khanna expressed concerns about crowds gathering for the annual pilgrimage and urged CM Dhami not to allow devotees from outside to enter the state for the Yatra. Khanna had further said that the yatra is a matter of Shraddha (reverence) and Aastha (faith), and God would not like anyone to die.
