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Court Overrules Ban on Sacred Kinnaur Kailash Yatra
24 Jul
Summary
- High Court allows Kinnaur Kailash Yatra to continue.
- Panchayat's resolution to permanently stop the pilgrimage was overturned.
- District administration is now responsible for smooth yatra conduct.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has intervened, mandating the continuation of the annual Kinnaur Kailash Yatra. This decision overturns a recent resolution by the Powari gram panchayat in Kalpa block, Kinnaur district, which aimed to permanently ban the pilgrimage. The panchayat had cited environmental and cultural concerns, including pollution and damage to medicinal plants, as reasons for its decision.
The High Court emphasized that the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra has been a customary event for time immemorial and cannot be stopped by a gram panchayat. The court also ruled that the panchayat has no authority to dissolve legally registered societies responsible for organizing the yatra. The state government had previously approved the yatra's conduct in a high-level meeting.
Consequently, the responsibility for ensuring the pilgrimage proceeds smoothly now rests with the district administration. This includes the deputy commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kalpa. The court has also issued notices to the Powari panchayat's pradhan and secretary, requiring their response by August 10.
