To Avoid Another Kumbh-Like Row, Uttarakhand Cancels Holy Dip In Haridwar On Ganga Dussehra

Authorities in Uttarakhand have cancelled the holy dip on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra in Haridwar on Sunday for devotees due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country.

According to Haridwar Police, the district borders will be sealed on June 20, and devotees coming from other states will not be allowed.

Reuters

Superintendent of police (SP), City of Haridwar Kamlesh Upadhyaya said, "After meeting with the officials of Shri Ganga Sabha including various religious institutions in Haridwar, it has been decided that Ganga Dussehra will be celebrated in a symbolic way."

Uttarakhand | Ganga 'snan' scheduled on June 20 and June 21 on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadashi in Haridwar has been cancelled for devotees

"Appeal to devotees to stay at home. Strict checking will be done district borders,"says SP City Haridwar pic.twitter.com/xFBYniqcIr

¡ª ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2021

"The borders of Haridwar will remain closed for the devotees coming from other states," Upadhyaya stated.

Urged to celebrate at their houses

The SP city urged people to celebrate Ganga Dussehra at their houses and follow the SoPs issued by the authorities.

"Legal action will be taken against those who would not follow the guidelines issued for COVID-19 under the Disaster Management Act," he added.

Reuters

Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day (Dashami) of the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month Jyeshtha, which also marks the day when Goddess Ganga is believed to have descended from the heavens to Earth.

Char Dham yatra cancelled

Earlier this week the Uttarakhand government had rolled back its decision to reopen Char Dham yatra for residents in three districts due to concerns that the pilgrimage might now lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

The Uttarakhand High Court had on Wednesday directed the state government to frame a standard operating procedure for the Char Dham yatra and warned it against any laxity as seen during the Kumbh Mela, which led to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Reuters

Dissatisfied with an affidavit filed by Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, the court said that the government has only stated that the Char Dham Yatra is barred till June 22 but there is no clarity if it will be carried out in a phased manner.

The court observed that the government issued its SOPs a day before the beginning of the Kumbh and due to a lack of preparation, there was an increase in coronavirus cases, which tarnished the reputation of the state.

Kumbh Mela

The Uttarakhand government led by Tirath Singh Rawat which assumed office just before the Kumbh Meal started and reversed all the restrictions put in place by his predecessor had come under heavy criticism after the mega gathering resulted in a spike of COVID-19 cases in the country.

AFP

There was more embracement for the Rawat as recently it was reported that more than one lakh fake COVID-19 tests were conducted by a private agency during the Kumbh Mela.

Last week the HC had ordered the government to conduct an audit of the deaths that occurred during the second wave of coronavirus in the state.