Day after Supreme Court prod, Uttar Pradesh cancels Kanwar Yatra in view of Covid-19: Reports

On Friday, the top court gave the state government time till Monday to reconsider its decision of going ahead with allowing the pilgrimage.

Published on: Jul 17, 2021, 22:15:17 IST

By hindustantimes.com | Written by Karan Manral, New Delhi

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Kanwar yatra is an annual pilgrimage of Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch Ganga waters to anoint lord Shiva lingams at Shiva Temples at their respective places. (HT Photo)

The Uttar Pradesh government announced on Saturday that the Kanwar Yatra is being cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic, according to news agency ANI. The development came a day after the Supreme Court gave the state government time till Monday to reconsider its decision of going ahead with allowing the pilgrimage.

Also Read | Call off kanwar yatra, or we will, SC tells UP

"Kanwar Yatra has been cancelled in Uttar Pradesh, in view of Covid-19," ANI quoted officials in the UP government as saying.

On Tuesday, the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand, too, announced cancellation of the yatra over fears of it contributing to a possible third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Also Read | Uttarakhand scraps Kanwar yatra amid warnings over 3rd Covid wave

In Friday's hearing, a two-judge bench of the top court, comprising of Justice RF Nariman and Justice BR Gavai, practically gave the Uttar Pradesh government an "ultimatum" to call off the yatra, observing that it "cannot go ahead with the Kanwar Yatra, 100%." The bench then gave Uttar Pradesh time till July 19 to reconsider its decision "in the interest of health of the citizenry of India" or be ordered by the court to scrap the pilgrimage.

The Union government, too, submitted in the apex court that state governments should not permit the movement of Kanwariyas, who walk on foot to bring the water from the holy Ganga river in Haridwar. Instead, the Centre suggested that the governments should develop a system to make the sacred water available at designated spots, keeping in mind the religious sentiments of the devotees.

Also Read | States mustn't allow Kanwar yatra, but make Ganga jal available: Centre in SC

The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo moto cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to allow the yatra.

The debate over whether the Kanwar Yatra, which was cancelled last year as well, should be permitted or not came amid scenes of tourists thronging markets and hill stations amid the ebbing second wave of Covid-19. This prompted the central government to express concerns over large gatherings and "revenge tourism."