Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of 'In Re: Alarming newspaper report regarding Kanwar Yatra in state of Uttar Pradesh' dated 20/07/2021.

The SC was apprised of certain news articles on the alarming situation taking place in Kerala as a result of Bakrid celebrations. The SC said that pressure groups of all kinds, religious or otherwise cannot in any manner, interfere with the Fundamental Right to Life and Health of the citizens of India and expressed alarm at the Notification dated July 17, 2021 passed by Kerala.

The Notification was specific to Bakrid celebrations, wherein textiles, footwear shops, jewellery, fancy stores, shops selling home appliances and shops selling electronic items, all types of repairing shops and shops selling essential items would be allowed to open on 18 - 20 July, 2021 in A, B and C category areas - lowest category of infection (LSGIs).

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The bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and B. R. Gavai said that the state government had given in to the association of traders who represented before the government that they had stocked up goods for the purpose of Bakrid very early.