Kanwar Unions in Uttar Pradesh call off yatra after appeal by state government

Kanwar Yatra unions in Uttar Pradesh have decided to call it off the pilgrimage this year after state government's appeal.

Lucknow: The Kanwar Yatra unions in Uttar Pradesh have decided to call it off the pilgrimage this year, the decsion comes a day after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government initiated talks with “kanwar sanghs" and urged them to take the right decision on the annual yatra following a nudge by the Supreme Court. On Friday, the Supreme Court taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to allow a “symbolic" Kanwar Yatra. The apex court said the right to life is paramount and all kind of sentiments are subservient to Article 21 of Constitution. The SC had asked the state government to reconsider its decision to hold and asked to be informed of the decision by July 19.     The apex court’s observation came after the Uttar Pradesh government told the bench that it has decided after relevant discussions to hold a symbolic Kanwar Yatra with appropriate COVID-19 restrictions.