The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Kerala government’s response on a plea against its decision to relax Covid lockdown restrictions in the state for three days in view of Bakrid.
Senior advocate Vikash Singh appeared for the petitioner and said: “Kerala has an official positivity rate of 10.96% and yet the relaxation has been granted. Kerala has 13,000 cases where as UP has much less. SC should pass orders quashing the relaxation.”
Appearing for the Kerala government, Advocate G. Prakash responded that he would file reply to the application; the bench asked him to do so during the day and said it would take up the matter for hearing as the first item on Tuesday.
In a late night development, the Kerala government filed its reply in the Supreme Court and said that the restrictions and the economic downturn were seriously affecting the lives of the people.
In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by Chief Secretary V.P. Joy regarding the granting of lockdown concessions to Bakrid, it was made clear that the lockdown could not be extended indefinitely. People are upset at the restrictions, which have been in place for three months. Exemptions are granted taking into account the opinion of experts. The state government has said that special measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease.
On July 17, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced the concessions at a press conference and said that in view of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha) being celebrated on July 21, textiles, footwear shops, jewellery, fancy stores, shops selling home appliances and electronic items, all types of repairing shops and shops selling essential items shall be allowed to open on July 18, 19 and 20 from 7 am to 8 pm in category A, B and C areas.
Earlier, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, Senior Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan informed the court that all Kanwar Sanghs have agreed that in view of Covid-9, they will cancel the yatra, there will be no Kanwar yatra at all. The top court in its order said: “Considering that the pattern of last year is to be followed by the State of Uttar Pradesh, in which it is clear that the ‘Kanwar Sanghs’ of the various districts have given in writing their consent that, in view of the health and safety of the public, the Kanwar yatra will be postponed this year also, it is necessary now to close this matter.”
“We may only remind the authorities at all levels to have regard to Article 144 of the Constitution of India, and ensure that untoward incidents which directly affect the lives of the public will be looked upon sternly and prompt action taken immediately,” it added.
The Supreme Court was hearing an intervention application by one P.K.D. Nambiar, a Delhi resident, in the suo motu case already initiated by the Supreme Court in connection with Uttar Pradesh government decision on ‘Kanwar Yatra’.
Meanwhile, The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has slammed the Kerala government over lockdown relaxations due to Bakrid. “IMA is pained to see amidst the rise of cases and Seropositivity, the Kerala government has issued an order to ease out lockdown followed in the state on the pretext of religious gatherings of Bakrid. It is unwarranted and inappropriate at this time of medical emergency. When many northern states like J&K, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal have stopped, with a constructive sense of public safety, the traditional and popular pilgrimage yatras, it is unfortunate that the learned state of Kerala had taken this decision which will pave wave for mass gatherings,” the top medical body stated.
Kerala is witnessing a sharp surge in new infection cases as half of the country’s fresh cases are being reported from two states—Kerala and Maharashtra. On Sunday, Kerala reported 13,956 new Covid cases, while 81 deaths were reported due to coronavirus. India on Sunday reported 41,157 new cases and 518 deaths in the last 24 hours.