New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Kerala government to explain why it relaxed COVID-19 restriction for Bakrid celebrations.
The Kerala government, one of the states with a high number of active cases of COVID-19 as per Union Health Ministry has relaxed COVID-19 restrictions from July 18 to July owing to Ed-ul-Adha.
A plea was filed against the Kerala government’s decision by a political analyst and entrepreneur P K D Nambiar. Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing on behalf of Nambiar, said, “Government of Kerala is ready to sacrifice the health and lives of innocent citizens during the critical situation. Political interests and causes cannot overcome the fundamental rights of the citizens of this nation”.
The petitioner underlined that Kerala continues to record alarming numbers of COVID cases even while many other States have improved their situation.
It also claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not consult the medical fraternity before announcing the relaxations.
On the other hand, advocate G Prakash, appearing for the Kerala government told the court that only some shops were allowed to reopen that too in a controlled manner.
A bench of Justices Rohinton F Nariman and B R Gavai asked Kerala to file an affidavit by Monday evening and said it will hear the matter on July 20, Tuesday.
Why COVID-19 restriction relaxed for Bakrid? SC asks Kerala govt
