Queency Jain–
Rejecting a batch of petitions, the Supreme Court refused to allow Rath Yatras in other temples of the State of Odisha except in the Jagannath temple, which earlier was granted permission.
The decision comes after the Court observed that the State is still recovering from the second wave of Covid-19 and the decision of the Government is in pursuance to control the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana also said, “Hope God will allow next Rath Yatra.”
The CJI, while delivering the decision also expressed his wish to visit Rath Yatra in Odisha thereby also stating that the public health situation does not permit him to do so.
The Court observed that an extraordinary situation is going on wherein not only the State of Odisha but the entire country is recovering from the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and no such permissions can be given.
Earlier during the first wave of the pandemic, the Orissa High Court allowed Rath Yatra to be held at Jagannath Temple stating Puri to constitute a class apart wherein it was explicitly recognized by the Supreme Court in the previous year’s decision in the case of Odisha Bikash Parishad v. Union of India.