Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2020: Supreme Court to hear pleas to modify 18 June order staying annual yatra in view of coronavirus pandemic

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday will hear four petitions seeking modification of its earlier order of 18 June, which had stayed the annual Rath Yatra in Puri and all other places in Odisha, due to the coronavirus pandemic. A single-judge bench of the apex court will hear the petitions today. The top court had stayed the annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple in Puri, which was slated to being on 23 June, and all activities related to the gathering in view of the coronavirus pandemic this year. A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde, had said that such gatherings cannot take place at the time of the pandemic. “Lord Jagannath will forgive us if we stay the Rath Yatra this year. In the interest of public health and safety of citizens, Rath Yatra cannot be allowed this year,” the top court remarked. The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by an NGO named Odisha Vikas Parishad seeking a stay on the annual Rath Yatra to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Later, Dibyasingha Deb, Chairman of Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee, Puri had written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, requesting him to take appropriate steps ensuring that state government immediately approaches the Supreme Court for partial modification of its 18 June order so as to allow Rath Yatra in Puri.