Health above faith

Source: The Hindu

What is the news?

Recently, the Supreme Court canceled the annual Kanwar Yatra and held that the health of the public and their right to life are paramount.

What is Kanwar Yatra?

• It is a pilgrimage organised in the Hindu calendar month of Shravana (Saavan).
• In which Kanwarias, devotees of Shiva, make a pilgrimage to collect water from the Ganga or other holy rivers.
• The water is used by the pilgrims to worship Shiva lingas at shrines of importance.
• The yatra was not held last year due to COVID-19. This year, it was scheduled to start on July 25.

Supreme Court observations:

• The court held that the health of the public and their right to life are paramount. “All other sentiments, albeit religious, are subservient to this most basic fundamental right”. The court also held that there really is none when it comes to choosing between religious rights and the right to life and safety.
• The court also observed that Kumbh Mela earlier this year was seen as responsible for a surge in infections in the run-up to the disastrous second wave that overpowered the country’s health system for weeks.