Supreme Court modifies its 18 June order that stayed Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri and permitted the yatra to be held condition applied that including no public participation and imposition of curfew within the city.
A bench headed by judge SA Bobde directed the government to impose curfew in Puri during the time when the chariots are taken out at the procession — an occasion during which lakhs of individuals from across the globe participate per annum. It asked the government to impose a curfew from 8 pm on Monday because the yatra begins on Tuesday.
The bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and AS Bopanna, said that each one entry points like airports, bus stands and railroad, the station should be closed for the duration of the yatra.
In its order, the bench said that every Rath or chariot would need to be pulled by 500 people and all need to be tested for Coronavirus. Additionally, it directed that those engaged in pulling the chariot shall maintain social distancing before, during and after the Rath Yatra.
“Indeed, if it's possible to make sure that there's no public attendance, we see no reason why the Rath Yatra can't be conducted safely along its usual route from temple to temple,” the bench said in its order.
The government had filed an affidavit and said that it'd be possible to conduct the Rath Yatra in a limited way without public attendance, the bench noted in its order and added that this has been proposed by Gajapati Maharaj of Puri, who is that the Chairman of the Puri Jagannath Temple Administration.

The bench also directed the State to make sure the participation of bare minimum people to perform the rituals and therefore the yatra and to take care of a record of such people. It also said that TV crews be allowed to cover the event.
Earlier, the court had indicated that it might allow the yatra to be held, but had left the micro-management to the wisdom of the government, Centre and therefore the Temple Committee.
The Odisha government had said that it'll coordinate with temple management and therefore the Centre, to perform a smooth Rath Yatra.

According to PTI, the Odisha government has imposed "curfew-like" shutdown in Puri district from 9 pm on Monday till 2 pm on Tuesday and appealed to citizens to refrain from stepping out of their homes when the chariots roll out on the Grand Road in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Additional police forces have also been deployed and other people are instructed to observe the yatra on television, an official has reportedly said.
The bench was hearing petitions, including those filed by 'Jagannath Sanskruti Jana Jagarana Manch' and BJP leader Sambit Patra, seeking modification in its 18 June order, which had stayed the this year's Rath Yatra at Puri, saying that it can't be allowed within the interest of health and safety of citizens, considering the spike in Coronavirus cases.
The judge had said in its18 June order on an appeal filed by said, “Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow this year's Rath Yatra.” The bench had also told the Odisha government to not allow any such chariot procession or pilgrimage anywhere within the State to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
While the Odisha government had earlier said it might abide by the Supreme Court's decision, it supported the Centre's stand on Monday, which stated that the yatra in Puri are often allowed to be held this year without public participation and in accordance with all guidelines, while arguing that the "tradition of centuries might not be stopped".
"If Lord Jagannath won't begin tomorrow, he cannot begin for 12 years as per traditions," lawman Tushar Mehta was quoted as saying, adding that the government could take precautions and impose curfew if needed.
"All 'sebayats' and 'pandas' performing the ritual must have tested negative (for COVID-19). People might not congregate and seek blessings on TV during a live telecast. Raja of Puri and therefore the temple committee may supervise arrangements of those rituals," Mehta was quoted telling the bench.
The Rath Yatra festival is held over 10-12 days with lakhs of individuals participating and therefore the 'Bahuda Jatra' (return car festival) is fixed for 1 July.
Three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are pulled by thousands of their devotees for three kilometres twice during the nine-day festival of the Trinity at Puri.
Odisha has thus far 5,160 COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths, consistent with the Union health ministry.