BHUBANESWAR: Much since the Covid-19 test positivity rate (TPR) has begun slumping, the Odisha authorities is not likely to allow devotees to take part in the Puri Rath Yatra, beginning July 12.
Like this past year, the authorities will prohibit the congregation of their devotees through the Rath Yatra in most likelihood because of the next tide of Covid.
The very first sign about a limited Rath Yatra has come in the government’s determination to stop journalists and camera team from performing live coverage of this festival to prevent any congregation.
The government has made a decision to arrange for the live coverage of this festival throughout Doordarshan and discuss the feed with all TV and internet channels, free of charge.
“Like this past year, the manager, @dd_odia was asked for live reporting of Snana Yatra, Gundicha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha & Neeladri Bije and also to give common feed into advocated digital media and internet media stations free of charge,” tweeted that the authorities information and public relations department on Friday.
At the center of the next tide of Covid, the Jagannath Temple government has already begun celebrating key festivals with no involvement of devotees.
The 42-day Chandan Yatra, that began about the auspicious event of Akshaya Tritiya on May 15, has been detected amid Section 144 of CrPC.
Debasnan Purnima, also, is very likely to be seen at the temple June 24 with no congregation of their devotees.
“When the government makes the decision to prohibit devotees from engaging in the Rath Yatra, then we’ll adhere to exactly the identical sequence and terms determined by the Supreme Court this past year.
Only a restricted amount of servitors, police employees and temple employees, who’d test negative for Covid-19, could run the Rath Yatra,” a senior district officer said.
The destiny of the season’s Rath Yatra had accompanied week-long speculations and minutes of extreme stress among devotees amid the outbreak.
Even the Supreme Court, that had on June 18 final year, purchased the resale of the Rath Yatra at light of this Covid-19 pandemic, had altered its earlier order Friday ahead of the Rath Yatra on June 23 and given consent to maintain the yearly festival with no tribe of devotees.
Even the Supreme Court’s June 18 arrangement had ignited statewide public outcry and political slugfest with several hitting at the state authorities for having failed to persuade the SC to maintain the Rath with no devotees.
The state government had to alter its stand under duress and had subsequently promised to plead with all the Supreme Court not to block the age-old heritage.