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Dealing with the issue of the opening of the Char Dham Yatra along with two others at hand, on Wednesday Uttarakhand High Court directed the State Government to review its decision to open the Char Dham Yatra from 01.07.2021.

Stating the reasons behind such direction to be the emergence of “Delta Plus variant”, the expected third wave of COVID-19 pandemic by August and aftermath of the Kumbh Mela gathering along with multiple others, the High Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and  C.J. Alok Kumar Verma remarked,

“This Court is well-aware that the cancellation of the Yatra may cause financial difficulties for the residents of the Char Dham. However, it is more important to save the lives of the people. Furthermore, the Government is free to announce “economic stimulus plans” for the benefits of the businessmen and the tourism industry which depends on the pilgrims visiting the Char Dham. As far as the religious sentiments of the people are concerned, this Court is of the opinion that live streaming from the Char Dham shrines can be done for the benefit of the people of the country. Such live streaming would permit the devotees to witness the deity, to pay reverence to the deity, and yet save the lives of the people. Hence, it is imperative that the decision of the State Government should be reviewed.”

Observing the fact that the Amarnath Yatra has already been cancelled by the Jammu & Kashmir administration, in its order, the High Court directed the State Government to review its decision to commence the Char Dham Yatra. The court also added that perhaps the Char Dham Yatra needs to be postponed or cancelled.

In pursuance of the orders of 09^th June and 16^th June, State government filed its response to inform the Court with regard to the different phases in which the Char Dham Yatra is to be opened. Taking notice of the affidavits filed, the court established three issues that demanded its concern.

First, the level of preparedness in the State for dealing with the third wave of COVID-19. Second, the ability of the State to deal with the increasing number of black fungus cases, emerging within the State. Lastly third and most important, the opening of the Char Dham Yatra.

Considering the submissions made by Mr. Amit Negi, Secretary, Medical Health and Family Welfare on behalf of the State Government and the data available on record, the Court pointed out the lacunae left in the affidavit and issued multiple directions to Mr. Amit Negi.

The Court made strict remarks about the vague submissions made by the State Government upon earlier enquiries, and asked Mr. Negi to inform the Court about various dimensions of preparedness of the State against the upcoming wave of Covid-19 including availability of beds, oxygen and inoculation of the State population.

Taking notice of the media report about Delta Plus Variant of Covid-19 virus and its co-relation with safety of children, the Court remarked,

“The Country has already been warned that the third wave of COVID-19 will hit our children from prenatal age group to eighteen years. If the children are lost or are being sacrificed at the altar of COVID-19, the loss will not only be of the parents, but also be of the nation at large.”

Further it added,

“Considering the fact that large gathering invariably leads to a spike in the COVID-19 pandemic, this Court is of the firm opinion that a catastrophe like COVID-19 pandemic should not be re-invited by holding and permitting large gathering at religious shrines, and by permitting the Char Dham Yatra by the State Government.”

The court directed Mr. Amit Negi to submit his report by July 6, 2021. The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 28.