'Shocking State Of Affairs': Supreme Court Pulls Up Kerala Govt For Easing Lockdown Restrictions During Bakrid

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (20 July) came down on the Kerala government for allowing relaxation in Covid-19 restrictions in the state ahead of Eid-al-Adha celebrations, reports India Today.

It stated that the state government bowing to traders’ pressure by granting relaxations shows “sorry state of affairs”.

"It is a shocking state of affairs that the Kerala government has given in to the demand of traders to relax lockdown norms," the SC reportedly said.

The apex court also warned the Kerala government of action if relaxations given by the state for Bakrid lead to further spread of Covid-19. The SC said, “We direct Kerala to give heed to Article 21 read with Article 144 of the Constitution of India and follow our orders given in the Kanwar Yatra case.”

Notably, defending its decision to ease up the lockdown restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases due to Eid-al-Adha celebrations, the Kerala government had told the Supreme Court that it relaxed the norms to address the distressing condition of traders.

The State Government had told the Supreme Court that the traders have stocked up for the Islamic festival and that not allowing them to sell during the same amid economic slowdown would deal a crippling blow to their finances.

Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan led State Government made the submissions to the top court after the latter sought its response to a plea challenging the relaxation of the COVID-19 for Bakrid festivities.