Apex Court refuses to stop Amarnath Yatra

On Monday, the Apex Court denied entertaining a petition seeking restriction on Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020 due to Coronavirus pandemic. The Supreme Court, while hearing the matter, said that the decision on permitting pilgrims & imposing conditions fall within the domain of the executive.

A bench of the Top Court headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said that the Court would not want to take a call on an executive decision.

The Supreme Court was hearing a petition by Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation which had sought a directive to the Centre, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir & Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board to restrict the access of pilgrims in this year's Amarnath Yatra in wake of coronavirus outbreak.

The petition also sought directives from the Supreme Court for live darshan' of Lord Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine on the internet & television. 

Petitioner relies on Supreme Court order on Lord Jagannath Yatra: Apex court had allowed it with restrictions

Relying on the Lord Jagannath Yatra order passed by the Apex Court in June, the petitioner alleged that the yatra would breach the COVID-19 guidelines which are in force across the country. "It has been prayed that darshan at the shrine is telecasted through internet & electronic media," the petition said. 

The plea further said that "Religious functions & large congregations have been exempted from permissible activities which are allowed outside containment zones. It has been submitted that this yatra would breach these guidelines".

Countering the petitioner's reliance on SC verdict on the Jagannath Yatra, Justice Chandrachud said that the SC was moved by the statement put forth by the state of Odisha. "Why should we assume that state administration will not work in order to check the spread? Let's leave it to the authorities," Bar & Bench quoted him as saying. 

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