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<ul><li>The Supreme Court has allowed the Rath Yatra to take place only in Puri and with strict guidelines and the responsibility of the state government. </li><li>For the first time in 285 years, it was feared that the Rath Yatra would be cancelled. </li><li>This year’s Rath Yatra (June 23) was put on hold by the Supreme Court due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in Odisha and the country.</li></ul>Puri Rath Yatra, a 12th century tradition which sees the grand chariots of Lords Balabhadra, Jagannath and Subhadra taken out a procession in the city, will continue this year but with strict guidelines. The top court said that the Puri rath yatra will be held with coordination of temple committee, state and central government without compromising with health issue. “But we will not do any micro management of Rath Yatra. We will leave it to the best wisdom of the responsible state government. The State Government will act responsibly and contain the spread,” said India’s top court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on the Centre’s behalf while senior advocate Harish Salve appeared on behalf of the government of Odisha in the Supreme Court today. “A ritual going on for centuries should not be interfered with,” said <a href="https://twitter.com/barandbench/status/1274942314939637767">Mehta.</a> This was the first time in 285 years that it was feared that the Rath Yatra would be cancelled. For the pious event, lakhs of devotees from across the country gather just to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and help pull the chariot. According to the tradition, if Rath Yatra is not held in a year, it cannot be held for the next 12 years. This year’s Rath Yatra (June 23) was put on hold by the Supreme Court due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in Odisha and the country. Odisha currently has over 5000 coronavirus cases. Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde had said, “Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow it”. Earlier, an organisation based out of Odisha had moved the Supreme Court to put a stay on the Rath Yatra as ‘it could be catastrophic’. In 2019, ten lakh people had taken part in the festival. However, this was met by dissent from across the country, and soon petitions were filed to let the festival take place. Janardhan Pattajoshi Mohapatra, the chief servitor of Lord Jagannatha, had requested the Supreme Court to hold the festival without the crowds as it is an ‘unbroken tradition’. “Any interruption in the observance of this mandatory religious practice affects the very sanctity of the temple and all its future rituals as well as the faith of millions of devotees across the world who understand and revere the significance of the Rath Yatra,” <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amid-covid-19-pandemic-chief-servitor-of-lord-jagannatha-asks-sc-to-allow-puri-ratha-yatra-without-public-participation/story-bJvBzCkYWqLuub2oHZ3IWJ.html">the application stated.</a> The application had also called for a complete curfew in Puri on June 23 to ensure that crowds don’t gather on the streets and said that if held without the lakhs of devotees, the procession would be completed in less than an hour. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/reliance-industries-shares-are-worth-more-than-hdfc-bank-icici-bank-and-kotak-mahindra-bank-combined/slidelist/76504066.cms">Reliance Industries’ shares are worth more than HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank combined</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/asian-paints-and-bergers-earnings-will-show-if-people-will-risk-renovators-inside-their-homes-until-then-its-sanitisers-to-the-rescue/articleshow/76504616.cms">Asian Paints and Berger’s earnings will show if people will risk renovators inside their homes⁠— until then its sanitisers to the rescue</a>

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra will be held this year despite coronavirus, but without the lakhs of devotees

(Eds: Adding details from the order) New Delhi, Jun 18 () The Supreme Court Thursday stayed this year's Puri Rath Yatra, which is attended by lakhs of people from across the world and was to start from June 23, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and said "Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow" it. A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices Dineesh Maheshwari and A S Bopanna said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha can't be allowed. "Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow this year's Rath Yatra to go on", CJI Bobde said, adding that as such a huge gathering can't take place during the pandemic. While the Rath Yatra festival, held over 10-12 days with lakhs of people participating, was scheduled for June 23, the 'Bahuda Jatra' (return car festival) was fixed for July 1. Three heavily built wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are traditionally pulled by thousands of devotees over a distance of three kilometres twice during the nine-day festival of the Trinity at Puri. "Having regard to the danger presented by such a large gathering of people for the Rath Yatra, we consider it appropriate in the interests of public health and safety of citizens who are devotees to restrain the respondents from holding the Rath Yatra this year," the bench said. It said Article 25(1) of the Constitution itself confers the right to freely profess and propagate religion subject to health. "We accordingly direct that there shall be no Rath Yatra anywhere in the temple town of Odisha or in any other part of the State this year. We further direct that there shall be no activities secular or religious associated with the Rath Yatra during this period," it said. During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner, an NGO, said that if Rath Yatra is allowed huge congregation of people will take place, exposing them to higher risk of infection by coronavirus. The bench observed that it is a serious matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that it needs time till Friday to file the reply. A counsel appearing for an intervenor said the Odisha government has issued a notification that there shall be no public gathering till June 30. However, the bench said that it is restraining the respondents from holding the festival starting from June 23 and issuing notice on the plea and replies be filed in four weeks. The Chief Justice said he came to know recently that the word juggernaut is related to Lord Jagannath which means a force that cannot be stopped. Mehta said, "But, you stopped it today". The top court noted in its order that it is not disputed that the number of people, likely to gather for the annual Rath Yatra scheduled to be held from June 23, 2020, is going to be about 10 to 12 lakhs and the festivities normally continue for a period of 10 to 12 days. The top court's order came on a PIL filed by the Odisha-based NGO seeking cancellation or postponement of this year's Rath Yatra. Two pleas have been moved in the top court seeking to cancel or postponement of the historic 'Rath Yatra'. Besides the PIL filed by the NGO, 'Odisha Vikas Parishad', seeking stay on holding of the annual festival, an appeal has been moved by one Surendra Panigrahi of 'Bhartiya Bikash Parishad' against the Orissa High Court order of June 9 which had asked the state government to decide on holding the 'Rath Yatra' festival in line with the COVID-19 guidelines. The PIL said the religious congregation of such nature, which has been specifically prohibited by the state government vide its guidelines dated June 1 and June 7 and the guidelines dated May 30 of Ministry of Home Affairs, if allowed, will lead to "catastrophic" results and it will be very difficult on the part of the authorities to control the spread of the virus thereafter. It said that if the 'Rath Yatra' is allowed to happen on June 23, despite State Government's prohibition on holding religious gathering or congregations, lakhs of devotees from all over the country are going to gather for 'darshan' of Lord Shri Jagannath. "If such a massive gathering takes place members of the crowd will not be able to maintain adequate distance, which will make them all vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 infection," it said. It sought a direction to the Centre and the state government for not granting any permission for holding the 'Rath Yatra' festival. The appeal of Panigrahi also mentioned similar grounds for deferment of Rath Yatra. On June 9, the High Court on the PIL filed by Panigrahi has directed that the state government that in case it decides to hold 'Rath Yatra' festival at Puri in consistent with the Covid-19 guidelines, then it must also duly consider deploying machinery or other means like elephants to pull the chariots. The High Court had said that it is up to the state government to decide whether to allow the religious festival depending on the Coronavirus situation prevalent on the ground. If, however, any such decision is eventually taken, the state government shall ensure strict adherence to the directives issued by the Centre and the State's own orders containing additional guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus, the high court had said. MNL ABA SJK SA

SC says no to this year's historic Puri Rath Yatra due to COVID pandemic

New Delhi, Jun 18 () The Supreme Court Thursday stayed this year's historic Puri Rath Yatra starting from June 23 and related activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices Dineesh Maheshwari and A S Bopanna said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha can't be allowed. The Chief Justice said that 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 bench also told Odisha government not to allow the yatra or pilgrimage procession and related activities anywhere in the state to avoid spread of coronavirus. The top court's order came on a PIL filed by Odisha based NGO seeking cancellation or postponement of this year's Rath Yatra, which continues for 10 to 12 days and is attended by millions of devotees from across the world. MNL ABA SJK SA

SC stays this year's historic Puri's Rath Yatra due to COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi, Jun 19 () A plea was Friday filed in the Supreme Court seeking recall of its order staying this year's historic Puri Rath Yatra, which is attended by lakhs of people from across the world and was to start from June 23, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde had Thursday said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Rath Yatra at Puri in Odisha can't be allowed and "Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow" it. The plea filed in the top court has sought recall and modification of its June 18 order saying the festival is deeply associated to the religious beliefs of millions of devotees of Lord Jagannath and it is "not impossible and impracticable" for the state and district administration to conduct Rath Yatra by maintaining social distancing and following the Centre's guidelines. "Under the above facts and circumstances the applicant most humbly prayed that the order dated June 18, 2020 as passed by this court may be recalled and modified to the extent that the Rath Yatra ritual may be performed with the help of 500-600 servitors by following the guidelines, maintaining the social distance and with certain impositions and conditions," said the plea filed by 'Jagannath Sanskruti Jana Jagarana Manch'. The plea, filed through advocate Hitendra Nath Rath, said that as per earlier direction of the Orissa High Court as well as decision of the state government, 372 persons were engaged in the construction of three Raths/chariots for more than one and half months and all were isolated, tested and found COVID-19 negative. It said these persons have constructed the Raths by following the guidelines of Central government and maintained social distancing and proper sanitization. While the Rath Yatra festival, held over 10-12 days with lakhs of people participating, was scheduled for June 23, the 'Bahuda Jatra' (return car festival) was fixed for July 1. Three heavily built wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are traditionally pulled by thousands of devotees over a distance of three kilometres twice during the nine-day festival of the Trinity at Puri. The plea seeking recall of the order has further said that 'Deba Snana Purnima' ritual was performed on June 5 with the help of 800 servitors, who all were tested and found COVID-19 negative."The distance of the Puri Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple is three Km distance and social distancing can be maintained by 500-600 persons in the three Km distance," the plea said, adding that a total of 500 to 600 persons are required for pulling the Raths. The plea, which said that Puri municipality is categorised as 'Green zone', claimed that these facts were not placed before the court during the hearing on Thursday. "Under the above facts and circumstances, it is not impossible and impracticable for the state government and the district administration to conduct the Rath Yatra by maintaining the social distancing and following the guidelines of the Central government and the state government," it said. "The Rath Yatra can be performed with the help of 500-600 servitors by maintaining social distance on the road of three km stretch and by imposing the restrictions as well as imposing section 144 of the CrPC," it said. The plea said that the Rath Yatra has been performed since time immemorial and the sentiments of millions of devotees are attached to the same. The top court's June 18 order had came on a PIL filed by an Odisha-based NGO seeking cancellation or postponement of this year's Rath Yatra. Two pleas have been moved in the apex court seeking to cancel or postponement of the historic 'Rath Yatra'. Besides the PIL filed by the NGO, 'Odisha Vikas Parishad', seeking stay on holding of the annual festival, an appeal has been moved by one Surendra Panigrahi of 'Bhartiya Bikash Parishad' against the Orissa High Court order of June 9 which had asked the state government to decide on holding the 'Rath Yatra' festival in line with the COVID-19 guidelines. ABA MNL SJK ABA RKS RKS

Plea in SC seeks recall of order staying Puri Rath Yatra due to COVID-19

New Delhi, Jun 15 () Two pleas have been moved in the Supreme Court seeking to cancel or postponement of the historic 'Rath Yatra' at Puri in Odisha, which continue for 10 to 12 days and is attended by lakhs of devotees from across the world to avoid spread of Coronavirus. A PIL has been filed by Bhubneshwar based NGO 'Odisha Vikas Parishad' seeking stay on holding of the annual festival and an appeal has been moved by one Surendra Panigrahi of 'Bhartiya Bikash Parishad' against the Orissa High Court order of June 9, by which it had asked the state government to decide on holding 'Rath Yatra' festival in consistent with the COVID-19 guidelines. The PIL by NGO said that the religious congregation of such nature which has been specifically prohibited by the State Government vide its guidelines dated June 1 and June 7 and the guidelines dated May 30 of Ministry of Home Affairs, if allowed, will lead to catastrophic results and it will be very difficult on the part of the authorities to control the spread of virus thereafter. "Thus, keeping in mind the interests of the general public at large, it would be apposite to postpone the Rath Yatra festival which is scheduled to commence on June 23, 2020 and further continue for a period of 10-12 days thereafter," the plea said. It said that if the 'Rath Yatra' is allowed to happen on June 23, despite State Government's prohibition on holding religious gathering or congregations, lakhs and lakhs of devotees from all over the country are going to gather for 'darshan' of Lord Shri Jagannath. "If such a massive gathering takes place members of the crowd will not be able to maintain adequate distance, which will make them all vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 infection," it said. It sought a direction to the Centre and the state government for not granting any permission for holding the 'Rath Yatra' festival. The appeal of Panigrahi also mentioned similar grounds for deferment of Rath Yatra like to preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus and said, "This time the entire country including the state of Odisha is presently passing through a very critical situation due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in India as well as Puri district". His appeal filed on Monday said, "Now the Puri district is declared as RED ZONE since the month of May 2020. Till today, about more than 155 Corona positive cases are detected in Puri district only and every day the numbers of Corona positive cases are increasing rapidly in the state as well as in Puri district". It said that lakhs of people will gather if the festival is allowed as scheduled making it difficult to enforce the social distancing norms. On June 9, the High Court on the PIL filed by Panigrahi has directed that the state government that in case it decides to hold 'Rath Yatra' festival at Puri in consistent with the Covid-19 guidelines, then it must also duly consider deploying machinery or other means like elephants to pull the chariots. The three heavily built wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are traditionally pulled manually over a distance of three kilometre twice during the nine-day festival of the Trinity at Puri. While the festival is scheduled for June 23, the 'Bahuda Yatra' (return car festival) is fixed for July 1. The High Court had said that it is up to the state government to decide whether or not to allow the religious festival depending on the Coronavirus situation prevalent on the ground. If, however, any such decision is eventually taken, the state government shall ensure strict adherence to the directives issued by the Centre and the State's own orders containing additional guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus, the high court had said. MNL ABA SJK MNL RKS RKS

Pleas in SC seeking stay or deferment of Puri Rath Yatra due to COVID-19 pandemic

(Eds: Adding details from order) New Delhi, Jul 13 () The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a plea seeking restrictions on devotees in this year's Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage due to COVID-19 pandemic, saying these issues fall within the "domain of the executive arm of the state".The apex court said the issue as to whether Amarnath Yatra 2020 should or should not be held is a matter which must be left to the "competence of the local administration" and any decision that is arrived at has to be "based on law and on relevant statutory provisions holding the field". A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud observed that the principle of separation of powers requires that administrative decisions "must be taken where they are entrusted, namely by the executive arm of the state". The top court passed the order while hearing a plea filed by 'Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation' (SABLO) which had sought a direction to the Centre, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board to restrict access of pilgrims in the Yatra this year in wake of coronavirus outbreak. "Entertaining a writ petition under Article 32 at this stage would necessarily involve this court taking over an executive function of oversight over the local administration. We decline to exercise the jurisdiction under Article 32 to take over these powers under the rubric of judicial review," the bench, also comprising Justices Indu Malhotra and K M Joseph, said. "We have to respect principle of separation of powers," the bench orally observed during the hearing, while refusing to entertain the plea which had also sought a direction for 'live darshan' of Lord Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine by way of the internet and on television. In its order, the bench said the decision as to whether a pilgrimage should be permitted and, if it is permitted, the safeguards which should be observed, are matters which fall within the domain of the executive. "In arriving at a decision, the administrative authorities must bear in mind statutory provisions governing the field and policies and administrative circulars issued in pursuance of statutory provisions. An assessment of the situation will be based on ground realities. This assessment lies in the domain of the administrative functions of the state," the bench said. It said the duty of court is to step in where the decision making process is flawed by a failure to observe statutory or constitutional requirements and is either contrary to law or failure to take a decision results in a breach of a statutory duty or a fundamental right. "Once a decision is taken, its validity can be tested on procedural and substantive grounds including proportionality and manifest arbitrariness. The power to take a decision on whether a pilgrimage should take place in a given situation lies with the executive arm of the state," it said. The bench dealt with the contention of senior advocate Devdutt Kamat, appearing for the petitioner, that the top court had earlier put restrictions on the Puri Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. The apex court later modified the order to allow Rath Yatra at Puri, the bench said during the hearing. Referring to the order passed in Puri Rath Yatra matter, the bench said it indicated that order of restraint was premised on the information furnished to the court by the authorities that it was "well nigh impossible to ensure that there is no congregation." "It was on the basis of the affidavit that was filed by the state of Odisha and on the proposal of the Chairman of the Puri Jagannath Temple Administration that the modification was issued, subject to conditions," the bench noted while referring that order was later modified to allow the holding of Puri Rath Yatra. "This only goes to emphasise that the decision turned upon the view which was taken by the administration of the exigencies of the situation and on whether the religious congregation arising out of the procession at Puri could proceed in a safe and orderly manner," it said. Dealing with the issue raised in the plea concerning this year's Amarnath Yatra, the bench said, "The issue as to whether the Amarnath Yatra 2020 should or should not be held is a matter must be left to the competence of the local administration." It said the court will step in where parameters for judicial review arise. "The petitioners are at liberty to provide such inputs as they may be advised to furnish having regard to their experience of assisting in the pilgrimage in the past," the bench said. During the hearing, the bench observed, "We are ill-equipped to determine whether a Yatra should be held in a particular terrain or not." The Jammu and Kashmir administration, on July 5, had decided to permit Amarnath Yatra by restricting the number of pilgrims to 500 per day by road from Jammu to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine. The Shrine Board is reportedly planning to allow the yatra for a period of 15 days only. The move was challenged by SABLO in the top court saying it will not be possible to carry out the norms of physical distancing, wearing of masks and other steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission at high altitudes. Kamat said during the hearing that the organization was not against the conduct of rituals pertaining to Yatra, but was only seeking to restrict participation of people from all over the country. The petitioner also sought for allowing live-telecast of the rituals. ABA MNL SJK ABA RKS RKS

SC dismisses plea for restrictions on Amarnath Yatra due to COVID-19

New Delhi, Jun 27 () Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world on Saturday. 11:26 a.m. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis also presents an opportunity for businesses to re-strategise and re-invent themselves, Union Bank of India MD and CEO Rajkiran Rai G said. 11:22 a.m. As many as 417 personnel of the Thane police commissionerate have tested coronavirus positive so far, officials say. 11:18 a.m. Transfers amid COVID-19 demoralised bureaucracy, BJP leader Pravin Darekar says. 11:03 a.m. India's top TT players raise funds to help fraternity members amid coronavirus crisis. 11:00 a.m. India's records highest single-day COVID-19 spike with over 18,000 cases as death toll rises to 15,685. 9:44 a.m. COVID-19 is triggering panic attacks, depression and suicides, say experts. 9:38 a.m. Buildings in congested areas and slums of north Mumbai will be sealed considering the rise in COVID-19 cases here in the last 15 days, Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh says. 9:27 a.m. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik calls upon all all to adhere to SC's order and COVID-19 guidelines to make the return journey of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra at Puri successful. 8:59 a.m. MP government asks police dept to recruit over 4,200 constables. VIS VIS

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Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra will be held this year despite coronavirus, but without the lakhs of devotees

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SC says no to this year's historic Puri Rath Yatra due to COVID pandemic

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SC stays this year's historic Puri's Rath Yatra due to COVID-19 pandemic

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Plea in SC seeks recall of order staying Puri Rath Yatra due to COVID-19

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Pleas in SC seeking stay or deferment of Puri Rath Yatra due to COVID-19 pandemic

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SC dismisses plea for restrictions on Amarnath Yatra due to COVID-19

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