Sc: allows Jagannath rath yatra with strict regulations in place.

By: – S.A.Anjum Sadiq

A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justices Dinesh Maheshwari & AS Bopanna after viewing the three applications and considering the traditions and faith of crores allowed the jagannath rath yatra with certain conditions to be strictly followed.

The honorable court keeping in view the good track of assam state in handling of the covid-19 pandemic allowed the puri rath yatra to be carried out under the supervision of the state government under the following laid down restrictions:

1. All entry and exit points of the city are to be kept closed i.e. railway stations, bus stations, airports etc. all through the duration and period of the rath yatra.
2. The state government may impose a curfew in the city during the procession if deemed necessary to keep the crowds indoor.
3. Not more than 500 persons should be allowed to pull one chariot (Rath) including the officials and police personals that too after taking their covid-19 test as negative.
4. Their should be a gap of one hour between two Rath processions.
5. Social distancing should be strictly followed all through the yatra by all the participants.
6. Rituals and practices that are followed during the yatra should be performed by persons tested negative for covid-19.
7. the Committee in-charge of Puri Jagannath Temple Administration and the union and state officials shall be primarily responsible to accordingly ensure the procession is carried out following the laid down rules and norms by the honorable court as well as following the governments rules in place concerning public health and safety.
8. Visual media, TV crews shall be allowed to install cameras where ever necessary all through the route of the procession.
9. Minimum number of people possible should be allowed to participate in the rituals by the temple in charge committee un-necessary crowds should be avoided.
10.  Shri Tushar Mehta, learned Solicitor General, has assured the Court of all assistance and help from the union government to the state government in this Endeavor.
11. A complete record of all the participants has to be kept by the state government after covid-19 test with all the necessary details.
12. Lastly all the concerned responsible parties i.e the temple committee, the union government and the state government should ensure that the rath yatra should not become a cause for the spread of covid-19 in the city or the state of assam.

When gajapati maharaj chairman of the jaganath temple administration assured the court that the yatra can be carried out without the un-necessary attendees not compromising public heath and safety the honorable court reviewing its earlier stay allowed the yatra on the central government’s recommendation.

Court also observed that the June 18 order was passed in light of submissions made according to which it was told that the Rath Yatra would be “highly impossible without congregation and therefore it was left with no option but to grant an injunction restraining the rath yatra.
the central government represented by the solicitor general supported the modification of the order to allow the yatra with all the necessary precautions. He stated that a centuaries old tradition cannot be stopped which is a faith of crores in this country further the tradition says the if the yatra is stopped it cannot take place for another 12 years. Considering all the above facts the honorable court finally allowed the yatra to take place in accordance with all the rules and norms binding the procession.