[BREAKING] Lockdown relaxation for Bakrid due to demand by traders to alleviate their miseries: Kerala govt tells Supreme Court

Kerala government has informed the Supreme Court that it relaxed COVID lockdown restrictions in view of Bakrid to "alleviate the misery" of traders who claimed that sales during the festive season would bring them some respite from the economic slowdown..In a late night reply filed before the Supreme Court, Kerala government submitted that traders have stocked up he goods for this purpose and that organization of traders had started to agitate against stringent curbs declaring that they will open shops all over the state flouting the regulations. .These factors were taken into consideration by the State in arriving at a decision to relax lockdown. The State maintained that all COVID protocols will be adhered to during the relaxation period. .The Kerala government also stated that Chief Minister has appealed that only persons who have taken at least one dose of COVID vaccine may visit these shops. .[BREAKING] Plea filed in Supreme Court against relaxation of lockdown restrictions by Kerala for Bakrid.The reply came in response to a plea by one PKD Nambiar, a Delhi resident, taking objection to such relaxations. The plea was filed as an intervention application in the suo motu case already initiated by the Supreme Court regarding the holding of Kanwar Yatra by Uttar Pradesh.Nambiar submitted that Kerala has been showing alarming numbers in COVID cases though other States have improved their situation."To the utter dismay of India's citizens, Kerala government announced a 3-days relaxation of lockdown restrictions on July 18, 19 and 20 keeping in view the upcoming Bakrid festival," the plea filed through advocate Preeti Singh said..Nambiar added that the decision to allow the relaxations was based on political and communal tensions."It is surprising to note that the State of Kerala has continued to throw up alarming numbers even while most other States have improved their situation…the news reports about Kerala government’s move to relax lockdown norms say the decision followed discussions between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and leaders of the traders body ‘Kerala Vyapari Vyavasaayi E-kopana Saminit’ (KVVES). What this goes to show is the decision was not the outcome of any medical advice, but political and communal considerations", the plea stated..Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had appeared for Nambiar before a bench of Justice Rohitnton Fali Nariman and BR Gavai today. The apex court had then asked the Kerala government to file its response by end of day, today. The case will be heard as first item on Tuesday. Earlier today, the top court had disposed of the plea on Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh after the State informed the Court of the decision to cancel the yatra in view of COVId-19.