New Delhi, July 6

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow “Rath Yatra” across Odisha, except at Puri Jagannath temple in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“You want to pray to God. You can do it from home. I also wanted to go to Puri, but I couldn’t in the last one-and-a-half-year. This isn’t the time,” said a Bench led by CJI NV Ramana while refusing to permit “Rath Yatras” scheduled on July 12 in Baripada, Sasang and other parts of the state.

The Odisha Government has permitted Rath Yatra only at Puri and it allowed rituals only within temple premises of all other Jagannath temples across the state.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested “Rath Yatras” could be allowed by limiting the number of participants with certain restrictions. “We hope God will allow us these rituals next year,” the CJI said, dismissing all pleas. — TNS