Uttarakhand Govt Considers Banning Non-Hindus from Sacred Sites, Temple Committee Makes Unanimous Decision

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In a move that has sparked controversy, the Shri Gangotri Temple Committee in Uttarakhand has unanimously decided to ban non-Hindus from entering the Gangotri Dham, a sacred Hindu site. The ban, which also applies to the Mukhba area, is considered the winter residence of the deity. The decision is part of a broader proposal to restrict non-Hindus from entering Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham and other temples under the committee. The Uttarakhand state government is also considering a similar ban on non-Hindus from entering the ghats of Haridwar, a holy Hindu town with 105 ghats. This move is in response to requests from certain seers and the Ganga Sabha, the authority responsible for the upkeep of the prominent Har-ki-Pauri ghat. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has stated that the government will consider the views of all stakeholders, including pilgrimage committees and other groups involved in managing the sites. However, the decision has been met with criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse the government of inventing new agendas to distract from their election promises. The move to restrict non-Hindus from sacred sites has raised concerns about the impact on local livelihoods, as tourism is a significant contributor to the economy of these areas. Last year, a BJP MLA demanded a similar ban, citing incidents where non-Hindus allegedly defamed the image of Kedarnath Dham. The Uttarakhand government's proposal to identify Haridwar and Rishikesh as 'Sanatan Pavitra Shehar' or sacred cities has also been met with skepticism. As the state government reviews laws related to religious sites, all stakeholders will be required to provide their input on the matter.