The Supreme Court today allowed Puri’s Rath Yatra, scheduled to start from tomorrow, saying it cannot micro-manage the rituals and left it to the wisdom of state, the Centre and temple management to deal with that issue.
The apex court said Puri rath yatra will be held with coordination of Temple committee, State and Central Governments without compromising with health issue. It said Odisha can even stop the yatra or festivities if they feel it is going out of hand.
The apex court had on June 18th said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year’s Puri Rath Yatra cannot be allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde was informed by the Odisha government that it will coordinate with temple management and the Centre to make things smooth during Rath Yatra.
The bench also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheswari and A S Bopanna was informed by the Centre that Rath Yatra can be conducted without compromising on citizen’s health and with the co-operation of state and temple trust.
Reacting to the decision of the Supreme Court on holding Rath Yatra in Odisha, Home Minister Amit Shah said the entire nation is delighted by the decision. He said today is a special day for all, particularly for Odia sisters and brothers as well as devotees of Mahaprabhu Jagannath Ji.
