CoronaVirus Effect: Plea in Supreme Court Against Mass Gathering in “Kumbh Mela” due to massive surge in Covid cases

New Delhi: Viewing the massive surge in Covid-19 cases, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by a Noida-based lawyer, Sanjay Kumar Pathak seeking directions to stop mass gatherings at the “Kumbh Mela” in Haridwar. On Friday, the lawyer filed the petition to clear the mass gatherings and prescribe safety and strict protocol for the people returning from Kumbh to their homes. 

Pathak alleged that the Union of India, the State of Uttarakhand, and the National Disaster Management Authority have not taken any serious steps to discourage the mass gathering at Kumbh, even though it was clear to all that the second wave of Covid-19 has started from March.

The CM of Uttarakhand has actively encouraged participation in the event disregarding the threat of Covid-19. The CM said, “Nobody will be stopped in the name of Covid-19 as we are sure the faith in God will overcome the fear of the virus”.

Pathak said in the petition that on one hand, the common man is punished on the street for violating the Covid-19 rules and regulations and on the other hand, the authorities are permitting the mass gatherings of Kumbh Mela-2021and Election rallies.