Kanwar Yatra: States shouldn't allow pilgrims' movement, Centre tells SC

Centre said states should develop a system to make the Gangajal available by tankers

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R The Central government on Friday told the Supreme Court that state governments should not allow the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice R.F. Nariman and comprising B.R. Gavai was hearing the response of the Centre after the apex court had taken suo motu cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to allow the Kanwar Yatra.

The court had issued notice to the Centre and governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Supreme Court had referred to the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that not even a bit of compromise can be made on COVID-19 containment and said the citizens were perplexed about the happenings in view of the fact that as the UP government had allowed the religious 'yatra' commencing from July 25.

An affidavit submitted by the Centre had suggested that the state governments develop a system to make the Gangajal water available by tankers, so that devotees can collect it and perform rituals at the nearest Shiva temples.

"So far as the subject matter of the present proceedings i.e. 'Kanwar Yatra' is concerned, the State Governments must not permit movement of 'Kanwariyas' for bringing 'Gangajal' from Haridwar to the Shiv temples of their choice. However, considering the age-old customs and religious sentiments attached, the State Governments must develop a system to make holy 'Gangajal' available through tankers which should be available at an identified/designated locations, so that nearby devotees can collect such 'Gangajal' and do 'ABHISHEK' upon their nearest Shiv temples," Bar and Bench quoted the Centre's affidavit as saying.