Order of the Supreme Court regarding holding of Rath Yatra in Odisha, 18/06/2020
Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Odisha Vikash Parishad Vs Union of India & Others dated 18/06/2020 regarding holding of annual Rath Yatra scheduled to be held from June 23, 2020 - that sees a gathering of about 10 to 12 lakhs of people.
The SC directed that the festivities which normally continue for a period of 10 to 12 days would be against the interests of the public health and safety of citizens in the current scenario. " Article 25 of the Constitution of India itself confers the right to freely profess and propagate religion subject to health," said the bench headed by Chief Justice of India S. A. Bobde and comprised of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and A. S. Bopanna.
The SC directed that there shall be no Rath Yatra anywhere in the temple town of Odisha or in any other part of the State this year. Further, there should be no activities secular or religious associated with the Rath Yatra during this period, the SC added.