SC pulls up Kerala govt for announcing COVID-19 relaxations for Muslim festival Bakrid

However, the top court did not cancel the government notification of relaxations which will end Tuesday.

"Alarming state of affairs to give in to pressure tactics. Pressure hood of any manner cannot infringe upon the most precious right to life. If any untoward incident takes place due to this relaxation, the public can bring to our notice and action will be taken accordingly," a two-judge bench comprising Justice RF Nariman and BR Gavai told the government, NDTV reported.

The state government cited the adverse economic condition of the traders as the reason behind the relaxations.

"The traders were expecting that the Bakrid sales would alleviate their misery to a certain extent. They have stocked up the goods for this purpose early. The organization of traders started to agitate against the stringent curbs implemented in the LSGIs and declared that they will open shops all over the state flouting the regulations," the government told the court, reported Live Law.

The state government has allowed textiles, footwear, jewellery, fancy stores, shops selling home appliances and electronic items, repairing shops besides shops selling essential items to function from 7 pm to 8 pm from Jul 18-20.

The Bakrid will be celebrated Jul 21.

Kerala, the south Indian state, Monday reported 9,931 new COVID-19 cases while the toll went up by 58.

Days ago, the Supreme Court had pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government, run by Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for allowing Hindu pilgrimage Kanwar Yatra amid COVID-19.

Following the scolding, the Uttar Pradesh government last Saturday cancelled Kanwar Yatra for this year.

The yatra was cancelled in Uttarakhand even before the matter reached the doorstep of the judiciary.