Kanwar Yatra & Sabarimala darshan: Is faith above public health in Covid time?

UP’s Kanwar Yatra hasn’t been put off and Kerala’s Sabarimala is opening, too. Covid curbs have been announced for both rituals. But is faith above public health, given the fears of a third Covid wave?

On Friday, the Supreme Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision to allow Kanwar Yatra. And, down south, Kerala’s Sabarimala temple is also opening for monthly rituals. Restricts have been assured for both events. But given a looming threat of the third wave of Covid-19, are these rituals necessary? Is faith above public health? India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai raised these questions on his show News Today at 9. Excerpts: