On Wednesday SC took an important decision regarding Kanwar Yatra. A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman will look into it for hearing on Friday. Uttar Pradesh Govt. has permitted ‘Kanwar Yatra’ from July 25 despite the risk of 3rd wave. Various organizations have raised concerns over the risk by these events. It can definitely trigger the possibility of next Covid-19 wave.
While Yogi government has allowed the yatra, neighbouring state Uttarakhand has suspended the Holy Yatra. Uttarakhand has recently recovered from the loss of 2nd wave. The Grand Kumbh Mela was preponed as the 2nd wave came unpredicted.
Uttar Pradesh ADG Law & Order informed that this year the yatra is scheduled from July 25 to August 6.
Naveen Sehgal Additional Chief Secretary of Information has responded to the court’s notice. He said “As of now we have received information only through the Media. Once the received by concerned authorities, it will be responded soon. The government will take decision and guidelines will be issued in time. The stand of the Government they have allowed Kanwar Yatra in the state. There is a lot of time for Kanwar yatra and the Government will decide accordingly.”
The last time when Kanwar Yatra was organised almost 3.5 crore devotees took part. Haridwar has seen most of the devotees. 2-3 crore people participated in the event and visited pilgrimage spots in Western UP.
Kanwar Yatra is a annual festival that is schedule for 14 days of Hindu month Saavan. Kanwariyas drive or walk to ghats of ganga and fill their pitchers and pots. It is followed by the trip bacl tp their towns and villages. A lot of traffic is seen during this time in places like Haridwar, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Bulandshahar, Bareilly, Ayodhya etc.
The yatra was cancelled last year because of pandemic and lockdown. Even this year also Uttarakhand govt. has barred devotees from organising Kanwar yatra. CM Pushkar Dhami said ‘Even gods will not want people to die’.
The huge crowd may make the holy city Haridwar hotspot and centre of 3rd wave. Uttarakhand has seen a lot of criticism after Kumbh Mela 2021. Experts say the event contributed in to a spike in covid-19 cases. More than 5500 cases were reported in mid May.
Many people from UP, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Himachal take part in the holy event. So the govt. will reconsider the decision regarding Kanwar Yatra after SC has intervened.
