SC nod to Rath Yatra in Puri

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 22

Dahi Handi cancelled

• Biggest Dahi Handi organiser in Maharashtra, Sanskruti, has cancelled the celebrations this year. Organisers have said the money meant for Dahi Handi will be used for Covid-19 treatment.

Four days after placing a ban on this year's Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra at Puri, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed it in a restricted manner after the Centre, Odisha Government and the temple management assured that social distancing norms and other Covid-19 protocols shall be followed.

The Puri Rath Yatra festival — which attracts a large number of Indian and foreign devotees and tourists — is scheduled to commence on June 23. An estimated one million people took part in the Rath Yatra that goes on for 20 days.

While allowing a restricted Rath Yatra, a three-judge Bench, headed by CJI SA Bobde, made it clear no public participation will be allowed.

The order came on applications files by several individuals and organisations, including Pattajoshi Mohapatra — the Hereditary Chief Servitor of Lord Jagannatha Temple, Puri — seeking recall of the June 18 order.

"Indeed, 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," the top court said.

While modifying its June 18 order that had put a blanket ban on this year's Rath Yatra in view of the pandemic, the Bench issued an elaborate 11-point order to be followed for the Rath Yatra.

It ordered that all entry points to Puri — airports, railway stations, bus stands, etc. — shall be closed during the Rath Yatra.

The Odisha Government shall impose a curfew in Puri beginning 8 pm Monday on all days and during all the time when Rath Yatra chariots are taken in procession. It may also impose curfew in Puri on such other days and during such time as deemed necessary. No one to come out of their houses, places of residence, hotels, lodging houses, etc, it said. Each chariot shall be pulled by not more than 500 persons, including officials and police personnel, who shall be tested for Covid-19, it said.

ONUS ON TEMPLE IN CHARGE FOR SMOOTH CONDUCT

• The top court made it clear that the primary responsibility for conducting the Rath Yatra shall be that of the committee in charge of Puri Jagannath Temple Administration. Committee members shall be responsible for compliance of conditions imposed by court.
• The Rath Yatra will be covered by the visual media and the state government will allow TV cameras to be installed at such places. Each chariot shall be pulled by not more than 500 persons, including officials and police personnel, the Bench said.

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