"We Expect Organizers & UP Govt. Would Ensure Social/Physical Distancing Protocol": Allahabad HC Dismisses PIL Against 'Bhoomi Poojan' Of Ram Mandir [Read Order]

"We expect the organizers and the Government of Uttar Pradesh would ensure all the protocol applicable for social and physical distancing", said the Allahabad High Court while dismissing a plea to restrain "Bhoomi Pujan" for laying down foundation stone of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.

One Saket Gokhale, who claims to be a social activist at Mumbai had approached the High Court by filing a Public Interest Litigation alleging that about three hundred people have been invited at a single place on 5th August, 2020 for the 'Bhoomi Pujan' and that may cause violation of the protocol prescribed by the Government of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh for the purpose of maintaining social and physical distancing to combat pandemic of COVID-19. 

The bench comprising of the Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh, while dismissing the writ petition, observed:

"The entire petition for writ is based on assumptions and there is no foundation for apprehending violation of the prescribed protocol. At present, we expect the organizers and the Government of Uttar Pradesh would ensure all the protocol applicable for social and physical distancing. In view of whatever stated above, we do not find any just reason to interfere in the matter. The writ petition hence is dismissed."

Bhoomi Poojan

Quoting Swami Govind Dev Giri, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, ANI had reported that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Ram Temple on August 5. To ensure social distancing at the programme, we've decided that there will not be more than 200 people including 150 invitees, he had said.

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