SC asks Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider decision to allow Kanwar Yatra, ‘Right to life is paramount’
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to allow the Kawad Yatra and inform the apex court of its final decision by Monday or else it would pass an order on it.
FollowThe Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to allow Kanwar Yatra inside the state with a limited number of pilgrims and asked the government to instead consider a complete ban on the physical movement of Kanwariyas in the state.
“It is of prima facie view that it concerns all of us and is at the heart of the fundamental right to life. The health of citizens of India and right to life is paramount, all other sentiments whether being religious is subservient to this basic fundamental right,” the apex court bench said.
The government will have to reply by Monday on which date the case will again be heard.
During the hearing on the matter, the Centre told the top court: “Given the situation, States “must not permit” movement of Kanwariyas to bring Gangajal from Haridwar to Shiva temples but in view of age-old customs and religious sentiments, make it available through tankers at designated locations.”
This comes after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to allow the yatra from July 25.
Meanwhile, the Centre told the Supreme Court that states must not permit Kanwar Yatra to Haridwar in Uttarakhand while asking the state governments to ensure the availability of Gangajal to kanwariyas in temples in view of the pandemic situation in the country.
In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on Friday, the Centre said, "State governments must not permit the movement of kanwariyas to bring Gangajal from Haridwar in view of Covid-19."
The Uttar Pradesh government told the Apex Court that the yatra will be symbolic and only a few people will take part in it, while the solicitor general said the state government can make arrangements to make gangajal available for the devotees.
The pilgrimage is undertaken by devotees of Hindu deity Shiva. They collect water, usually from the river Ganga, and offer it at Shiva temples in their respective states. These devotees, called Kanwariyas, cover hundreds of kilometres on foot.
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