The Center has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court urging the state government not to allow the movement of kanwariyas to bring ‘Ganga water’ from Haridwar in view of COVID-19.

The court issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the central government and sought an answer as to why the Kanwar Yatra should be held.

The central government said that “In view of the possibility of the third wave of corona epidemic, no such program should be allowed where the crowd gathers, however, keeping in mind the religious sentiments of the people, the state governments should make such a system to make the sacred water available via tankers at designated locations.”

The Center asked the Supreme Court to make tankers available at identified/determined places, so that nearby devotees can collect ‘Ganga Jal’ and perform ‘abhisheka’ at their nearest Shiva temples.

The Center further tells the Supreme Court that state governments should ensure that the distribution of ‘Ganga water’ among devotees and devotees in nearby Shiva temples by such rituals is mandatory to ensure social distancing, wearing of masks, and prevent the spread of COVID-19. All steps required to be followed during the Covid-19 crisis.

News Source: HindustanTimes