SC allows Puri Rath Yatra sans devotees, leaves micro-management to Odisha government

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde was informed by the Odisha government that it will coordinate with temple management and the Centre to make things smooth during Rath Yatra.
A representational picture of the Rath Yatra at Puri. (File Photo)
A representational picture of the Rath Yatra at Puri. (File Photo)

NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Giving in to the prayers of millions of devotees and assurance of the Central Government supported by Odisha Government, which made a U-turn from its earlier stand, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri, while modifying its June 18 order staying the annual festival.

With only a day remaining for the festival to get underway and a slew of applications filed for recall or modification of the stay order, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde held an urgent hearing after the Central Government appealed for a modification to permit the centuries-old tradition with restrictions. In a departure from its earlier submission that it would be difficult to manage the lakhs strong gathering, the Odisha Government too came out in support of the festival.

Taking note of the affidavit filed on behalf of the State Government stating that it might be possible to conduct the festival “in a limited way without public attendance”, the bench ruled that “ if it is possible to ensure that there is no public attendance, we see no reason why the Rath Yatra cannot be conducted safely along its usual route from temple to temple.”

The court, however, imposed strict restrictions during the festival that include closure of all entry points to the city of Puri, airport, railway station and bus stands along with curfew on all days and during the time when the chariots are taken in procession. “No one should be allowed to come out of their houses or places of residence such as hotels, lodging houses, etc., “ it ordered.

The court made it clear that the festival, spread over a period of 10-12 days, will be held only in Puri and no other part of Odisha.The bench also specified that each chariot will be pulled by no more than 500 persons, all of whom shall be tested for coronavirus and permitted to participate only if they are found negative. There shall be an interval of one hour between the two chariots and strict social distancing compliance should be ensured while pulling them. Persons associated with rituals of the deities should also be tested and permitted to take part only if found negative.

“The primary responsibility of conducting the Rath Yatra in accordance with the conditions and other norms shall be that of the Committee in-charge of the Puri Jagannath Temple Administration. In addition, the officers designated by the State Government for conduct of the Rath Yatra shall be responsible likewise”, the bench ruled while ordering all rituals and the procession be widely covered by TV and visual media.

“The Union Government should offer all assistance and help to the State Government in this endeavour,” the court added.During the hearing, the bench said it was not there to micromanage the Yatra, and will leave it to the wisdom of the State to work out the preparations.
Senior advocate Harish Salve assured on behalf of the Odisha Government that the State will take care of all necessary precautions.On a query by the bench as to what the role of Central Government was in conduct of the Yatra, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that Centre intervened because it had laid down the general guidelines for the unlock, allowing religious places to open.

In the morning, Mehta while mentioning the case for urgent hearing before Justice Arun Mishra said, “It’s a matter of faith for crores, a tradition of centuries. If Lord Jagannath will not come out tomorrow, he cannot come out for 12 years as per tradition.”

Mehta referred to the statement of the temple managing committee chairman, Gajapati Maharaj of Puri, to submit that the State can make arrangements and supervise to ensure the pandemic does not spread.

In an affidavit filed before the court, Odisha’s Principal Resident Commissioner at Delhi Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra spoke of the State’s fears related to the Yatra, requesting it to allow the event in a limited way, without public attendance, as proposed by Gajapati Maharaj.

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