Guwahati: In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Rath Yatra at Puri’s Jagannath Temple and all associated activities. The Rath Yatra was originally scheduled to take place on June 23.
“In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, we restrain the state from holding the Rath Yatra and associated activities. We direct that there shall be no Rath Yatra and associated activities this year” the Supreme Court said.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde passed the order based on a PIL filed by an Orissa based NGO Odisha Vikas Parishad. The NGO had pointed out the public health risk involved if the annual event as the event is attended by millions of devotees from across the world.
Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow this year’s Rath Yatra to go on, as such a huge gathering can’t take place during the pandemic, the Chief Justice said.
This means that no chariot pulling of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra will happen this year at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Image Source: Internet
