New Delhi: The Gujarat High Court, in a recent judgment, has said that during this epidemic, the government’s full attention should be on the health of the people at all costs, even if it hurts the sentiments of some religious leaders.
While giving its detailed verdict on various petitions filed in the matter of sanctioning the Rath Yatra of Ahmedabad, the court said the government’s attention should focus more on health rather than religion.
Making a strong remark on the state government, the bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice JB Pardiwala said that instead of taking concrete decision not to carry out the Rath Yatra, the government chose a policy of appeasement and engaged in the well being of religious leaders. There is no time for prosperity in times of pestilence, but concrete, practical, strong action is needed.
The policy of appeasement sends the wrong message to the people. If the government remains indifferent to the issue of gathering of people in religious programmes, then it can lead to more serious consequences due to the epidemic.
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According to the high court, in Corona’s time, health and life of citizens is more valuable than religious feelings, faith and reverence. Nothing can be more important than the safety and health of the people.
-India Legal Bureau