SC ‘disturbed’ by UP’S decision to hold yatra

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it is a “little disturbed” by the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to allow the kanwar yatra despite widespread fears of a third wave of Covid-19, taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue, and sought explanations from the Union and the relevant state governments on the proposed religious pilgrimage and “disparate political voices” on avoiding large gatherings.

The bench of justices Rohinton F Nariman and BR Gavai observed that “the citizens of India are completely perplexed and don’t know what is going on” when different states are adopting different stance on the kanwar yatra.

It pointed out that Uttar Pradesh is pressing ahead with the kanwar yatra that attracts millions of people while the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand, “with its hindsight of experience,” has suspended it over apprehensions of a possible third wave of the coronavirus disease. The kanwar yatra sees around 30 million pilgrims walking to Haridwar in Uttarakhand, picking up water of the Ganga, and walking back home, usually to states in north and north-west India. Uttarakhand, which went ahead with the Kumbh Mela despite warnings fro public health experts, saw a sharp increase in Covid-19 infections soon after and its management of the event has also come under question with the unearthing of a fake Covid tests racket.

The irony of Uttarakhand saying no to the event, Uttar Pradesh saying yes, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling chief ministers of north-eastern states that it is up to the people to stop the third wave of the pandemic by adhering to safety protocols (“We cannot compromise even a bit,” he said) , all on the same day, was not lost on the court.

“Given the disparate political voices, all speaking at the same time, it is important that the relevant secretary, Union of India, respond,” said the bench in its order.