The court also directed the Kerala government to pay heed to Article 21 and its order in the Kanwar Yatra case.
The Apex court was alarmed by Kerala’s move to “give in to pressure groups” and announce a three-day relaxation of Covid curbs for Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha). The Supreme Court said that this move by the state was “wholly uncalled for”. The top court, however, did not cancel the government notification that eased the lockdown in the state.
A two-judge bench of Justices RF Nariman and BR Gavai told the Kerala government: “Alarming state of affairs to give in to pressure tactics. Pressure hood of any manner cannot infringe upon the most precious right of right to life. If any untoward incident takes place due to this relaxation, public can bring to our notice and action will be taken accordingly.”
The court also directed the Kerala government to pay heed to Article 21 and its order in the Kanwar Yatra case. Last Friday, the court had cited fundamental right to life to order the Uttar Pradesh government to cancel the organisation of Kanwar Yatra, the annual Hindu congregation.
The court thanked petitioner PK Nambiar for bringing the issue to the court’s notice.
Defending its decision to ease the lockdown to celebrate Bakrid, Kerala Government told the court that the relaxation had been on since June 15 and was nothing new. It also cited the miseries caused to traders who were expecting Bakrid sales to alleviate their economic problems.
Appearing for Mr Nambiar, Senior Lawyer Vikas Singh asked the court to pass some orders as today was the last day of relaxation. However, Justice RF Nariman said: “There is no point. The horse has already bolted. We are not quashing the notification.”
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