Anushka Mansharamani
The Kerala government moved to the Supreme Court against the order passed by the High Court of increasing the number of pilgrims at the Sabarimala temple to 5,000.
The State of Kerala has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and is concerned about the spread of the new strain from the United Kingdom, thereby wanting the number of pilgrims to be restricted to 2,000 during the weekdays and 3,000 during the weekends.
In the appeal filed in the Apex Court, the Kerala government has contended that the cap on the number of visitors was done based on Health Ministry advisory.
Further stating that the High Court’s order was passed without the consideration of the state panel report.
The state communicated to the Supreme Court that the police controlling the queue, along with the pilgrims, have been testing positive, and this increase would put the police and health ministry in difficulty.
The High Court, while hearing pleas last week, increased the number of visitors to 5,000 and directed the state to replace the Rapid Antigen Tests with RT-PCR test for more reliability.
The state challenged the High Court’s order passed on 18th December stating that the increase in the number of pilgrims would increase the risk of contracting COVID-19.
The Sabarimala Temple was re-opened on 15th November by the Travancore Devaswom Board and the state allowing 1,000 visitors on weekdays and 2,000 on weekends.
The government has taken safety measures like compulsory testing at base camps, wearing masks, and the entry was managed through a virtual queue upon registration.
Before the pandemic, thousands of people would visit the Sabarimala temple, however, this year, the restriction is to approximately 85,000.
This decision was taken by the high-panel, which had successfully done testing during the first wave, thereby reporting the highest daily COVID-19 cases in India since August. The infection surge had taken place ahead of Onam and after the campaigning of the local body elections.
Kerala is currently one of the worst-hit states with active cases standing at 62,974, 5th in overall numbers – 7.21 Lakh, and lowest deaths at 2,892.