SC bans Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra this year due to COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi: Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Supreme Court has banned the historic annual Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra that is going to be held on 23 June. While hearing the case on Thursday, a bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice AS Bopanna said that the Rath Yatra could not be allowed this year in view of public interest and safety of the people.

Chief Justice said, "Lord Jagannath will not forgive us if we allow the Rath Yatra this year. There may not be such a large gathering during the pandemic. "The bench also asked the Odisha government not to allow travel, pilgrimage or activities related to it anywhere in the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In view of the coronavirus epidemic, an NGO named Odisha Development Council had filed a petition in the Supreme Court and this year sought a stay on the Rath Yatra. Rath Yatra is organized every year in Puri with great pomp. The programs related to coronavirus it last for 10-12 days and millions of devotees from all over the world participate in it.