A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to clear the mass gathering from Kumbh, Haridwar, and strictly enforce Covid-19 guidelines in the states where elections are being held and take legal action against the violators.
The petition has been filed by Advocate Sanjai Kumar Pathak alleging,
“The authorities are not only permitting but facilitating and promoting congregation of people in the events like Kumbh-2021 and Election rallies. It is visibly clear that two separate and mutually inconsistent standards are being adopted by the authorities in dealing with the citizens of India.”
The plea has further submitted that the Government has turned a blind eye towards the violation of Covid-19 guidelines at the Kumbh mela and the election campaigns and rallies that have the potential to become super-spreader events.
“Even though the disease is currently spreading at breakneck speed across the country, the Indian Railways has organised 25 special trains to facilitate congregation and to link Haridwar Kumbh mela to various locations for the pilgrims as per the PTI report,”
-the plea states.
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Pathak through his petition sought the following directions:
- Directions to immediately withdraw all advertisements inviting people to Haridwar for Kumbh;
- Directions clear the mass gathering from Haridwar city as soon as possible and prescribe a safety protocol with respect to the people returning from Kumbh to their home;
- Direction to not encourage or promote any gathering or event inconsistent with the spirit and object of the Covid guidelines and orders issued; and
- Direction to the authorities concerned in the States where elections are being held to strictly enforce Covid-19 guidelines against the candidates, campaigners and public during the election process and to take appropriate action against the violators in accordance with law.