Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh: Supreme Court issues notice to Yogi government

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to allow ‘Kanwar Yatra’ in the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Yogi Adityanath government has allowed the yatra from July 25 despite concerns raised in various quarters over the risk posed by such events in triggering a possible third wave of COVID-19, the neighbouring Uttarakhand has suspended the kanwar yatra.

The bench said: "We wish to know the stand of the respective governments. The citizens of India are completely perplexed. They do not know what is going on."

The bench emphasized that such decisions were being taken even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already said that "we cannot compromise even one bit".

The bench said it is issuing notices to the concerned state governments and the Centre, because the yatra is scheduled to leave from July 24. "We want them to file an early response so that the matter can be heard on Friday," added the bench.

A bench headed by Justice R.F. Nariman issued notice to the Centre and the Yogi Adityanath government and fixed the matter for hearing on Friday.

As part of the yatra, kanwariyas trek up to or drive to ghats of the Ganga, and fill pitchers with water from the river before making the journey back to their towns and villages.