Can’t expose you to risk of being targeted says SC as it refuses plea to permit Muharram procession

New Delhi, Aug 27: The Supreme Court has refused to pass orders on a petition that sought permission to hold the Muharram procession. The court has asked the prtitioner to move the Allahabad High Court.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, S A Bobde said that if the procession is allowed, it will lead to chaos. As a result of this a particular community will be targeted for spreading COVID-19, the CJI said.

He further said that we as a court cannot expose you to that risk. We cannot give general directions, the Supreme Court further said.

The CJI went on to explain that in the Puri chariot process, permission was granted because it was from one point to another. The Ganesh festival was not permitted in Tamil Nadu. Further in the Jain Temple, Mumbai case, the plea for limited access was permitted.

These were all limited prayers and we cannot pass general directions, Justice Bobde also said.

Muharram will be observed on August 29. The plea sought a direction to allow the procession to take place.