On Tuesday, the government of Uttarakhand calls off Kanwar Yatra, in view of the covid-19 third wave threats. But the government of Uttar Pradesh has agreed to conduct the yatra. The Kanwar yatra is starting from 25th July.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “There are the chances of the covid-19 third wave. The Delta Plus variant is surfacing in our country as well as abroad. So, we decided to cancel the yatra this year. We took the decision by giving the topmost priority to human life. ” This state government is heavily criticized for conducting the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in April. During the event, covid-19 norms are violated.
The Chief Minister has asked DGP Ashok Kumar to work closely with the neighboring states officials to stop the spreading of the virus.
In Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Janata Party is in power.
In the year 2020, the UP government had suspended the Kanwar Yatra. But this year, it has permitted the two-week-long annual pilgrimage for the devotees or kanwariyas, with strict covid-19 protocols.
The UP state CM Yogi Adithyanath has asked officials to ensure only a few people should participate in this yatra and social distancing should be implemented strictly.
A negative RT-PCR test report may be compulsory for the pilgrims.
Yogi Adithyanath has also ordered officials, to take care of cleanliness and proper lighting every traveling route, Shiva temples.
Because of the Covid-19 situation, the Indian Medical Association has opposed conducting the yatra.
In this pilgrimage, many devotees travel on foot to Haridwar and other places of the country. From the Ganga river, they fetch the holy water. Then, the same is offered in various Shiva temples.
