NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / On Rath Yatra, SC says, "Will let Odisha government decide"
    India

    On Rath Yatra, SC says, "Will let Odisha government decide"

    On Rath Yatra, SC says, "Will let Odisha government decide"
    Written by Shalini Ojha
    Jun 22, 2020, 04:54 pm 3 min read
    On Rath Yatra, SC says, "Will let Odisha government decide"

    Hearing petitions against its earlier order, which stopped the famed Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, the Supreme Court on Monday empowered the Odisha government to take a call. Last week, SC halted the seven-day festival, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow, saying Lord Jagannath "won't forgive us" if the festival is allowed this year, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here are more details.

    In Rath Yatra, deities are taken for a symbolic trip

    As a part of the festival, the deity Lord Jagannath (Krishna) and his siblings Balaram and Subhadra, are taken out from the temple for a trip to their maternal home. A week later, they return. The festival is attended by lakhs of devotees. Courtesy the coronavirus situation, the bench, led by CJI SA Bobde, had earlier said it's better to stall it this year.

    Rath Yatra will be an invitation to infect lakhs: Plea

    The earlier decision was taken after a non-profit organization, Odisha Vikas Parishad, said allowing the event "will be an invitation to infect lakhs of devotees". The plea reminded that Odisha government, led by BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik, hasn't let religious places to open before June 30, either. To recall, all religious places were shut in India in March, due to lockdown, and re-opened in June.

    SC had said gatherings couldn't be allowed in current situation

    "Such gatherings can't take place at the time of the pandemic. In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, we direct that there shall be no Rath Yatra and associated activities this year," SC had said on Thursday.

    Several pleas sought modification of June 18 order

    Subsequently, several pleas were filed demanding a modification. One of the petitioners was Janardhan Pattajoshi Mohapatra, the hereditary chief servitor of Lord Jagannatha. BJP's Sambit Patra, who contested Lok Sabha elections from Puri and lost, suggested holding the festival without any public participation. 800 sevayats who indulge in daily rituals at the temple can be a part of the ceremony, he had proposed.

    Centre told court it's a matter of faith for crores

    Meanwhile, the Centre supported holding the procession, reminding the top court that faiths of crores are linked with it. "It is a matter of faith for crores. If Lord Jagannath will not come out tomorrow, he cannot come out for 12 years as per traditions," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed SC. Blessings can be sought during live-telecast and a curfew can be imposed.

    Only those who have tested coronavirus negative can participate: Centre

    "A ritual going on for centuries cannot be interfered with. Only people who tested negative (for coronavirus) and working in the Lord Jagannath temple can be part of the ritual," Mehta said, while mentioning the matter before a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra.

    Health shouldn't be compromised: SC

    Notably, the Odisha government also supported the Centre's stand, through Senior Advocate Harish Salve. A bench of CJI SA Bobde, who is in Nagpur due to summer vacation, and Justices AS Bopanna and Dinesh Maheshwari heard the matter via video-conferencing. In its order, SC said the temple committee, state, and central governments will coordinate the event without "compromising with the health issue".

    CM will chair a meeting soon

    Patnaik will chair a state-level Rath Yatra preparatory meeting at 5 pm. The top court said the state government can stop the festivities if it thinks the situation is getting out of hand. Notably, Odisha has 5,303 coronavirus cases and 21 have died.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Odisha
    Supreme Court Of India
    Puri
    Rath Yatra

    Odisha

    Coronavirus: India's tally reaches 3.21 lakh after record spike India
    Coronavirus: India surpasses Spain to become 5th worst-hit country India
    Sonu Sood arranges chartered flight for 150 migrants Kerala
    UP-bound Shramik train carrying migrants ends up in Odisha Maharashtra

    Supreme Court Of India

    Kanpur's shelter home: 57, including five pregnant girls, test COVID-positive Kanpur
    SC notice to Centre, IRDAI over insurance for mental illnesses Mental Health
    Coronavirus patients being treated worse than animals: Supreme Court Tushar Mehta
    Country can't have dissatisfied soldiers: Supreme Court on doctors' woes Ashok Bhushan

    Puri

    Government may resume international flights by next month India Today
    Airlines told to keep middle-seats vacant or give 'wrap-around gowns' Supreme Court Of India
    200 trains resume services today: Check full list here Indian Railways
    India takes to skies again, air travel resumes with precautions Mumbai

    Rath Yatra

    SC declines urgent hearing on BJP's plea on Rath Yatra Calcutta High Court
    Calcutta High Court cancels earlier order allowing BJP's rath yatras West Bengal
    Mamata Banerjee govt refuses permission for BJP's Bengal rath yatras West Bengal
    WB-government refuses permission for BJP's Rath Yatra citing possible communal-violence West Bengal

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023