The Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Central Secretary-General Milind Parande on Sunday demanded that appropriate steps be taken to make sure that the annual Rath Jatra festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri is widely known observing all health protocols in sight of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a statement, he said the festival has been conducted uninterruptedly for many years and how must be acknowledged to carry the festival this year too.
The VHP leader requested the Supreme Court to review its stay order on holding of the Rath Jatra this year in sight of the COVID-19 crisis, saying, in today’s circumstances, it’s hardly expected that lakhs of devotees would gather for the festival.
Parande said it’s the responsibility of the Odisha government to require steps to make sure that the Rath Jatra isn’t stopped.
The government has completely failed in fulfilling its duty during this respect. the govt of Odisha couldn’t properly place and articulate all the facts, figures and aspects during this matter before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, he said.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh chapter of the planet Hindu Federation also urged the Supreme Court and therefore the Union Government to require measures allowing the Ratha Jatra this year by maintaining social distance.