Symbolic yoke travel stop you, otherwise we will ban: Supreme

(PTI) New Delhi, Dt

All emotions, including religious, are subject to the right to life, the Supreme Court said on Friday. The apex court also gave the Uttar Pradesh government until the 15th to reconsider its decision to hold a "symbolic" yatra. Following the Corona epidemic, the Uttarakhand government canceled the yatra while the Uttar Pradesh government allowed a 'symbolic' yatra in compliance with the Corona protocol. The apex court had automatically noted the Uttar Pradesh government's decision. In the hearing of this case, the central government has recommended to deliver Ganga water to the pilgrims through tankers.

Judge R.F. Nariman and b. R. Gawai's bench said that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution is the greatest. The health of the citizens of India is of paramount importance in the present circumstances. Apart from this all sentiments including religious are subject to this fundamental right. The apex court had issued the directions to the state government after the Uttar Pradesh government decided to hold a 'symbolic' yoke yatra with proper Koro restrictions. The apex court gave the Uttar Pradesh government till Monday to order the court not to inform the court of its decision till then.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta from the central government said that in view of the Koro epidemic, the state governments should not allow the yatra. The water of the Ganges should be supplied to the pilgrims at certain places through water tankers. State governments should make arrangements keeping in view the centuries-old tradition and religious sentiments, so that devotees can take holy Ganga water from certain places and anoint the Ganga water at the Shiva temple near them. Strictly adhering to the Korona protocol, the state governments should carry out the distribution of Ganga water among the devotees.

The bench had made it clear to Tushar Mehta that "we will not allow the Uttar Pradesh government to organize a yatra in the wake of the Koro epidemic." Senior Advocate from Uttar Pradesh Government c. S. A complete ban on travel would be inappropriate, Vaidyanathan said. We have filed an affidavit regarding holding a symbolic yatra with very few devotees keeping in view the religious sentiments. He added that 'Gangajal' would be distributed through tankers, covid tests would be done and social distance would be observed.

The Uttarakhand government had canceled the yatra due to the Koro epidemic, while the Uttar Pradesh government had allowed the yatra to take place. The Supreme Court is angry that the yogi government has allowed the yatra, which starts on July 9, at a time when many experts are warning of the danger of a third wave of the Koro epidemic in the country.