States: Uttarakhand
Dehradun: For the second consecutive year, the Uttarakhand government cancelled the annual Kanwar Yatra in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing media persons here , Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, said the decision was taken keeping in view the risk posed by such huge gatherings that could trigger a third wave of COVID-19.
“We, over the past many days, have discussed this a lot, spoke to authorities, and also officials in neighbouring states. The conclusion was that, in these times, we don’t want to turn Haridwar into a centre of the pandemic,” Dhami said. He added, “Even the gods will not want people to die”.
Even Indian Medical Association (IMA) had written to Dhami recently asking him to not allow the yatra.
It may be mentioned that earlier today, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, had suggested that only a minimum number of people should participate in the forthnight-long Kanwar Yatra, directing strict implementation of the COVID-19 protocol. The Yatra was scheduled between July 25 and August 6 this year during Shravan month of the Hindu calendar. The devotees or Kanwariyas march on foot carrying water from holy Ganga that they collect in Haridwar.
– global bihari bureau
