Uttarakhand may restrict non-Hindu entry to Haridwar to preserve 'sanctity'

Haridwar

• Uttarakhand mulls restricting non-Hindu access to Haridwar
• Proposal aims to preserve Haridwar's sanctity ahead of Kumbh Mela
• Expansion of entry rules to all 105 Ganga ghats under discussion

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The Uttarakhand government is actively examining the possibility of restricting the entry of non-Hindus into the pilgrimage centre of Haridwar and its adjacent areas, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has confirmed. The move, framed as an effort to preserve the city’s “sanctity,” emerges as the state ramps up preparations for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela.

In an exclusive interview to News18, CM Dhami emphasised the religious significance of the region. “Haridwar is a holy city. The government is seriously considering steps to preserve its sanctity,” he said, explicitly linking this to restricting the entry of non-Hindus. He added that the administration is reviewing old legislation and existing provisions to inform its decision.

This consideration draws upon historical municipal by-laws, some of which already limit non-Hindu access to specific Ganga ghats, including the famed Har Ki Pauri. These regulations are partly rooted in a 1916 agreement between Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and the British government, intended to safeguard the religious character of Haridwar and Rishikesh.

According to information obtained by News18, the current discussion involves a significant expansion of these rules. A proposal to extend entry restrictions across all 105 Ganga ghats spanning from Haridwar to Rishikesh is reportedly being deliberated with prominent seers and the Shri Ganga Sabha, the apex body governing religious ceremonies in the city.

The proposal aligns with long-standing demands from several religious leaders for Haridwar to be officially designated a ‘holy city,’ complete with controls on the entry and overnight stay of non-Hindus. The move has found support within influential religious circles.

Swami Kailashanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Niranjani Akhara, endorsed the potential policy, describing it as a “necessary step” and expressing pleasure at the government’s attention to the matter.

Haridwar’s economy is profoundly intertwined with religious tourism, hosting nearly 40 million pilgrims each year. This influx peaks during major bathing festivals, providing a substantial boost to local commerce.

However, the visible presence of non-Hindu tourists at the sacred ghats has periodically triggered controversy and heated online discourse in recent years, adding a contemporary social dimension to the historical and theological arguments underpinning the proposed restrictions.