PIL Spanner In Rath Yatra Works

The PIL, filed by Ganjam-based Bharatiya Bikash Parishad president Surendra Panigrahi, said the Centre and the state government have extended the lockdown in phases for eight weeks to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, going by gradual rise in the number of infected patients in the country, including Odisha, every day, the lockdown extension may go beyond Rath Yatra.

The petitioner has also alleged saying that some business-minded and selfish people have suggested the state government to conduct the festival without the congregation of devotees with strict adherence to social distancing norms and sealing entire Puri city. This will lead to restrictions on individual freedom of religion in gross violation of the Constitution.