Queency Jain
Uttarakhand High Court expressed its disappointment on failure of the state government to ensure COVID norms while holding religious events and gatherings like Kumbh Mela and Char Dham amidst the pandemic.
After the court came across various videos, on social media, of priests moving around and violating social distancing norms, a bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Verma stated that such violation have caused embarrassment to the state.
While the representative from the State Tourism Department told the bench that earmarks are being present at each place of worship to ensure social distancing, the court asked the representative to talk on reality and visit the place by himself rather than arguing.
The Chief Justice further contended that orders are being issued on paper but there is no implementation of the same in the state.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the State government is not only accountable to the people, but also to the central government for such failure.
The matter is listed for further hearing on June 8.
