The Supreme Court tore into Kerala for coronavirus restrictions relaxations ahead of Bakrid, saying that the citizenry of India has been laid bare to nationwide pandemic by grant of such relaxations by Kerala government. The court called the move "wholly uncalled for" and a "sorry state of affairs". "We direct the Kerala government to give heed to Right to Life enshrined under Article 21 of Constitution," the court said. The apex court warned that it will take action if relaxations granted by state for Bakrid lead to further spread of COVID-19.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced the concessions at a press conference on July 17 and said that in view of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha) being celebrated on July 21, textiles, footwear shops, jewellery, fancy stores, shops selling home appliances and electronic items, all types of repairing shops and shops selling essential items shall be allowed to open on July 18-20 from 7am to 8pm in category A, B and C areas.
In D category areas, these shops can function only on July 19, he had said. The areas have been categorised based on test positivity rate.
The matter came up for hearing in the apex court before a bench of Justices R F Nariman and B R Gavai, which also took note of the affidavit filed by Uttar Pradesh government which said that no Kanwar Yatra will be allowed this year in the state due to the pandemic.
