City

PIL Spanner In Rath Yatra Works

By
OB Bureau
Cuttack: Even as construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra is on in full swing in Puri, with strict adherence to social distancing guidelines, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Orissa High Court on Thursday seeking postponement of the mega festival.

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.

Without mentioning that the Rath Yatra has been going on uninterruptedly for 273 years since 1736, the petitioner has tried to convince the court that the mega festival has not been held on 32 occasions in the last 425 years.
The PIL comes at a time when the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration is closely monitoring construction of three chariots for the June 23 festival and carpenter-servitors are working hard to meet stiff deadlines. Construction of chariots, delayed due to corona pandemic and uncertainty over holding of the event, began earlier this month after the Centre gave go ahead. However, the Union government has asked the Odisha government to decide on holding of the world famous Yatra with which the religious sentiments of crores of people are attached.
OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Odisha Govt Approves Industrial Projects Worth Rs 3,353 Cr To Create 4600 Jobs

Bhubaneswar: In a significant stride towards advancing economic growth in the state, the Odisha government…

November 8, 2024

Actor Prabhas Signs Three-Film Contract With Producers Of ‘Salaar’

Hyderabad: ‘Baahubali’ actor Prabhas has signed a three-movie deal with Hombale Films, the makers of…

November 8, 2024

After Tara Tarini, Burglars Loot 2 Temples At Nirmalajhar In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: After theft from famous Tara Tarini shrine in Odisha’s Ganjam, burglars decamped with a…

November 8, 2024

Celebrity Couple Athiya Shetty, KL Rahul To Become Parents Soon

Mumbai: Actress Athiya Shetty and Team India cricketer KL Rahul will welcome a new member…

November 8, 2024

CEC Rajiv Kumar Orders Stern Action Over ‘Derogatory’ Remarks On Women

Mumbai: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Friday came down heavily on political leaders…

November 8, 2024

Odisha: Driver, Conductor Fired By CRUT For Being Drunk While On Duty

Bhubaneswar: The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), a public transit agency in Odisha, on Friday…

November 8, 2024

Meet The Actress Who Left Bollywood After Featuring In The Highest-Grossing Woman-Centric Film

Mumbai: Over the years, female actresses have often outshone their male confreres at the domestic…

November 8, 2024

Mango Kernel Incident In Odisha: BJD Fires Fresh Salvo At BJP Govt

Bhubaneswar: War of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Biju Janata…

November 8, 2024