HARIDWAR: The Ganga Sabha, the apex body overseeing the sanctum of Brahmakund Har-ki-Pauri and adjoining Ganga ghats, on Friday installed hoardings and banners prohibiting the entry of non-Hindus at this iconic pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar. The move has sparked controversy, drawing both political and public reactions across the state.

According to the Haridwar Municipal Corporation, municipal town commissioner Nandan Kumar said the matter had come to their notice, but no formal government directive had been issued yet. “We will act as per government instructions when they are issued,” he stated.

Historical Context Cited by Ganga Sabha

Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam cited the 1916 Haridwar municipal bylaws, enacted under guidance of Pt Madan Mohan Malviya, which reportedly restricted entry, residence, and commercial activities of non-Hindus within the Har-ki-Pauri area. “Given the increasing influx of visitors and instances of non-Hindus entering this holy site, we are merely adhering to these provisions,” Gautam explained.

The body had previously submitted a request to the state government to ban the entry of non-Hindus not only at Har-ki-Pauri but across all 105 Ganga ghats in Haridwar to preserve the sanctity of the ancient pilgrimage site. On Friday, boards were officially installed at multiple locations around Har-ki-Pauri to inform visitors of the restriction.

Ganga Sabha secretary Ujjwal Pundit, who supervised the installations, stated that such measures are intended to maintain the sanctity and spiritual significance of the Ganga ghats. The body has also demanded that government officials and police personnel on duty at Har-ki-Pauri be exclusively Hindu.

Government Bylaws and Exemptions

Officials pointed out that the post-Independence 1954 Haridwar municipal committee bylaws allow exemptions for government employees on duty. While non-Hindus are generally prohibited from the island-shaped platforms at Har-ki-Pauri and Kushawrat Ghat, the bylaws specify that official personnel performing duty are exempt from this restriction.

Political Reactions

The announcement has ignited a political debate, with opposition parties criticizing the move.

Former Haridwar municipal committee chairperson and Sonipat MP Satpal Brahmachari argued that a blanket prohibition is impractical in today’s multi-religious society. “The Ganga ghats and the Kumbh Mela area extend up to Roorkee, where many non-Hindus reside. Instead of raising divisive issues, the focus should be on better arrangements for the upcoming Ardh Kumbh,” he said.

Manglaur MLA Qazi Nizamuddin accused the ruling party of politicizing the issue. “While bylaws should be respected, the controversy is being used to divert attention from governance challenges such as law and order, corruption, custodial deaths, land disputes, and competitive exam paper leaks,” he said.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the Ganga Sabha’s move, framing it as an issue of cultural and religious respect. BJP president Mahendra Bhatt said, “The sentiments of Sanatan Dharma must be respected in matters concerning religious traditions, particularly at the Kumbh Mela and Har-ki-Pauri. This rule regarding non-Hindu entry in certain sacred areas of Haridwar is not new; it has been implicitly followed for decades. Everyone should respect and abide by the traditions set by religious leaders and the local priestly community.”

Bhatt further added, “No non-Hindu would come to bathe in the Ganga at Haridwar with the intention of attaining religious virtue. So why should anyone object to following existing traditions?”

Wider Implications

The move is likely to spark discussions on religious practices, civic management, and minority rights, especially given the scale of Haridwar’s religious tourism, which draws millions of pilgrims annually, including the internationally significant Kumbh Mela.

As of now, municipal authorities have not issued formal directions, and the state government’s stance is awaited, leaving the Ganga Sabha’s boards in place for the time being. The issue remains a flashpoint in Uttarakhand politics, highlighting the intersection of tradition, law, and modern governance in managing India’s sacred sites.