SC asks UP govt to reconsider decision to allow physical Kanwar Yatra

The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Union of India, told the Supreme Court that the Centre is not in favour of allowing the Yatra.

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to allow physical Kanwar Yatra in the state. A two-judge bench comprising Justices R F Nariman and B R Gavai was hearing the suo moto case taken after the UP government decided to hold Kanwar Yatra amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Justice Nariman told Senior Advocate C S Vaidyanathan orally that they will give one last opportunity to the state government to reconsider its decision or will pass orders directly, reported Live Law. The case will be heard next week, on Monday. Meanwhile, the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Union of India, told the Supreme Court that the Centre is not in favour of allowing the Yatra. Justice Nariman noted that the UP government cannot go against the Central Government's stand.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took suo moto cognizance of a report of The Indian Express that the Uttar Pradesh government had allowed Kanwar Yatra from July 25 amid concerns of triggering third wave of Covid-19 and had issued notice to the government. Meanwhile, the neighbouring state, Uttarakhand had suspended the Kanwar Yatra on Tuesday.