Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government will follow the Supreme Court order on the Rath Yatra with full spirit this year.
A decision in this regard has been taken at an emergency meeting of State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik this evening.
The Chief Secretary, Law Minister, Development Commissioner, Advocate General, SJTA Chief Administrator were present in the meeting.
The Advocate General has apprised the Cabinet about the Supreme Court order on the annual Rath Yatra at the pilgrim city of Puri.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has been urged to perform the rituals of Lord Jagannath inside the temple premises following the apex court order.
Besides, all district Collectors have also been asked to abide by the order in their respective districts.
Notably, the apex court today ordered to stay the annual Rath Yatra at Puri in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The Yatra was scheduled to be held on June 23.
“In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, we restrain the state from holding the Rath Yatra and associated activities. We direct that there shall be no Rath Yatra and associated activities this year”, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde ordered.
“We have enough experience to know that if we allow any religious activity then there will be a gathering…Lord Jagannath will forgive us,” he remarked.