Right to life is paramount-SC,States mustn't allow Kanwar Yatra-Centre

The Central government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Friday stating that state governments must not permit movement of Kanwariyas for bringing of water from the Ganga river from Haridwar in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, considering religious sentiments, the governments should develop a system to make the sacred water available via tankers at designated locations, The Centre said the state governments must also ensure that distribution of water from the Ganga among devotees and rituals by such devotees in the nearby Shiv temples take place while mandatorily ensuring social distancing norms, wearing of masks and adhering to all steps required to contain the spread of the viral disease.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to allow “symbolic”Kanwar Yatra in the state this year. The Court also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file an additional affidavit by Monday morning, stating whether it can reconsider holding a physical yatra or not. "The Right to life is paramount. All other sentiments, even religious are subservient to this most basic fundamental rights," the Supreme Court said.