SC allows Puri Rath Yatra without public attendance

If it is possible to ensure that there is no public... we see no reason why the Rath Yatra cannot be conducted safely SUPREME COURT

NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: The Supreme Court allowed authorities in Odisha on Monday to conduct the famed Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, recalling its June 18 order that prohibited this year’s celebrations in view of the coronavirus disease outbreak.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde set several conditions, including the imposition of a curfew in Puri during the festivities, and asked the Jagannath Temple administration committee and the Odisha government to strictly adhere to them. This year’s Rath Yatra will begin on Tuesday.

“If it is possible to ensure that there is no public attendance, we see no reason why the Rath Yatra cannot be conducted safely along its usual route from temple to temple. Having given serious consideration to the matter and having heard the parties, we are of the view that the Rath Yatra at Puri may be held,” the order by the bench, also comprising justices Dinesh Maheshwari and AS Bopanna, said.

Hours after the order, Odisha government imposed a 41-hour curfew in Puri and started Covid-19 testing of 700 priests who would pull the chariots. Health and family welfare department said 700 servitors would undergo Covid-19 tests and only those who test negative will be allowed to pull the chariots. Covid test of 800 servitors was already conducted earlier.