“Don't want one community to be blamed for Covid spread”

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined a plea filed by Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad to permit Muharram processions to be carried out in the country.

The decision of the Supreme Court comes in view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country.

The bench noted that allowing “general orders” could “create chaos”.

“A particular community will be targeted for spreading Covid.. We will not pass orders that could risk the health of so many people,” noted the bench.

The bench headed by CJI SA Bobde observed that there was no specified place where the Muharram procession would be held, where the restrictions and cautionary mechanisms could be imposed.

“You're asking for vague directions for the whole country for this community,” observed the bench.

The bench also rejected the argument by the lawyer for the Shia cleric who pointed out that Rath Yatra at Jagannath Puri temple had been allowed.

“Jagannath Puri case was one specific place where Rath was to go from point a to b… If it was one specific place we can assess the danger and pass orders,” observed the court.

The Supreme Court has asked the petitioner to approach the state High Court for permission to hold processions in a specified area with a limited number of people.

Muharram is August 29 this year.