IN RE: ALARMING NEWSPAPER REPORT REGARDING KANWAR YATRA IN STATE OF U. P. Vs. IN RE: ALARMING NEWSPAPER REPORT REGARDING KANWAR YATRA IN STATE OF U. P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Pursuant to our order dated 14.07.2021, affidavits have been filed by the Union of India, the State of U.P. and the State of Uttarakhand.

(2.) The State of U.P. has filed an affidavit through its Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Home Department stating as follows:

(3.) The rest of the affidavit goes on to explain as to how "symbolic" physical Kanwar yatra will then take place. On reading this para, the Court pointed out to Mr. Vaidyanathan, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the State of U.P., that given the Covid pandemic and the fear that looms over all the citizens of India of a third wave of the pandemic whether the authorities would be in a position to reconsider holding or the allowing, for compelling religious reasons, of this yatra in physical form at all. He responded positively to the Court's suggestion and asked for time to come out with an additional affidavit by Monday, the 19th July, 2021 to apprise this Court as to whether there can be a reconsideration of holding the physical Kanwar yatra at all.