SC Gives Conditional Nod to Rath Yatra Only in Puri

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court today gave its conditional nod to the organize world famous Rath Yatra in Puri only.

The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Odisha’s pilgrim city of Puri will be held without devotees this year and will be organised in close coordination of State Government, Centre and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

Hearing a petition filed by the Odisha Government appealing to modify the June 18 order, the Supreme Court bench comprising CJI SA Bobde, Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and AS Bopanna pronounced this order.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the State Government, informed the court that the Rath Yatra will be conducted only by the servitors, who tested negative for COVID-19.

The chariots of the holy Trinity will be pulled by the servitors. In order to restrict congregation of the public, curfew will be imposed in Puri, the advocate said.

The State Government will coordinate with the temple committee and Centre, he said.
“If we need help, we will reach out to the Centre. It can be taken on record”, Salve added.

In a special writ petition, the State Government has proposed to make necessary arrangements for the Rath Yatra festival on a condition that it is confined to only Puri city.

The tradition of centuries may not be stopped. It’s a matter of faith for crores. If Lord Jagannath will not come out tomorrow, He cannot come out for 12 years as per traditions. While maintaining the precautions to ensure that the pandemic is not spread, the State Government can impose a curfew for a day, the petition said.
The Central also supported the Odisha Government’s stand of the Rath Yatra.

Notably, the apex court had the annual Rath Yatra, which was slated to being on June 23, and all activities related to the gathering in view of the coronavirus pandemic this year.

Meanwhile a preparatory meeting on Rath Yatra is going on under the Chairmanship Law Minister in Puri now. Chief Secretary, DGP, Law Secretary, Chief Administrator, SJTA and Puri Collector, are among other who are attending the meeting.