Shivangi Prakash-
The Supreme Court directed state governments to not permit the movement of Kanwariyas for bringing ‘Ganga Jal’ from Haridwar in view of Covid-19. “Considering religious sentiments, State govts must develop system to make ‘Ganga Jal’ available via tankers at designated locations,” SC said.
According to an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study, the Delta variation was found in the majority of clinical cases in the breakthrough; just 9.8% of cases required hospitalisation, and only 0.4 percent of instances resulted in death. According to the study, this clearly indicates that immunisation reduces hospital admission and mortality.
Meanwhile, a Supreme Court bench of Justices R F Nariman and B R Gavai announced that the petition will be heard on July 16, citing the need to fix a limited time frame for this case because the Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 25.
Experts have labeled Kanwar Yatra a “superspreader,” predicting that it will attract far more visitors than the Kumbh Mela. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has encouraged that only a small number of people participate in the annual Kanwar Yatra, and has ordered strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol.
If necessary, a negative RT-PCR test report can be made mandatory for pilgrims, according to the administration.
In the meantime, due to the COVID-19 scenario, the Sikkim government has put a one-month ban on all socio-religious and entertainment-related activities. Prem Singh Tamang, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, presided over a high-level meeting that made the decision.
Marriage ceremonies, pujas, birthday celebrations, and get-togethers will be prohibited for the next 30 days in both urban and rural areas of the Himalayan state, according to officials.
