New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday resumed hearing on the Lord Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra to be held this year. The court had on 18 June banned travel due to Corona epidemic, on which a review petition was filed. Arguing during the hearing, the central government has told the court that the Rath Yatra may be allowed to be held this year without public participation in view of the corona virus epidemic. The Center said that centuries of tradition cannot be stopped. Therefore it can be allowed without people’s participation.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra is hearing the case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has told the bench that this Rath Yatra is a matter of faith for crores of people. According to tradition, if Lord Jagannath does not come out on Tuesday (June 23), he cannot come out for 12 years. Tushar Mehta said that the state government may impose curfew for this day. The Odisha government has also supported the Centre’s stand.
At the same time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb amidst the uncertainty about the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri. State BJP president Sameer Mohanty said Shah discussed the traditions associated with the Rath Yatra. This journey has continued since 1736.
