SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Yogi Govt's Decision To Allow Kanwar Yatra In UP Amid COVID, Seeks Response

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (14 July) took suo motu cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to allow Kanwar Yatra amid COVID-19 pandemic.

The SC bench headed by Justice R Nariman termed the decision by the Yogi government in UP to go ahead with Kanwar Yatra as "disturbing", even as the neighbouring Uttarakhand decided to call off the annual pilgrimage in view of the COVID situation.

It should be noted that Yogi government had allowed the Kanwar Yatra in the state from 25 July with some restrictions.

Taking cognisance of a newspaper report, Justice Nariman said, "We read something disturbing in the Indian Express today that the state of UP has chosen to continue with the Kanwar yatra, while the state of Uttarakhand, has said there will be no Yatra", reports LiveLaw.

The Court further said that it wants to know what is the stand of the respective governments on the issue.

"The citizens of India are completely perplexed. They don't know what is going on. And all this amid the Prime Minister, when asked about a third wave of Covid striking the nation, saying 'we cannot compromise even one bit'," Justice Nariman said to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The apex court has issued notice to the Centre, UP and Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand, and sought an early response from them as the Yatra is scheduled to begin from 25 July.