The Supreme Court slammed the decision of Kerala government which gave relaxations in COVID-19 norms for straight three days on the occasion of Bakrid.
The court disapproved and took a critical view of State’s decision to open shops in those areas as well which were marked as Category D, where the COVID-19 infection rate has been above the normal percentage and test positivity rate is above 15%. The court condemned the decision of opening shops in such areas without any restrictions.
In reply to the petition, the Kerala government averred that relaxations were given to provide relief to the traders who were looking upto Bakrid sales to alleviate their misery. The government further stated that people were frustrated due to the restrictions which had been in vogue for the past three months.
The court observed that restriction for one day was wholly uncalled for. It further directed the State government of Kerala to pay heed to Article 21 of Constitution of India r/w Section 144 of CrPC, and follow its directions given in the UP case.
Moreover, it asked the government to not give into the pressure groups of all kinds, including religious ones, and not let them interfere with the prominent fundamental right of citizens of India. The court also observed that such act of “giving in” which lays the citizens in bare hands of nationwide pandemic, discloses sorry state of affairs.
However, the court did not accept applicant’s prayer to quash the government’s order as the relaxations were given for July 19th, 2021. Though it didn’t take action against government’s order, the court gave the liberty to the public to bring to its notice any untoward spread of COVID-19 due to State’s policy of giving relaxations.
The counsel on behalf of assured that safeguards had been undertaken to ensure that COVID-appropriate behavior is followed. (The court made these observations in the case of In Re Alarming News Report About Kanwar Yatra in UP.)
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