Ban on non-hindus at Haridwar Ganga ghats should apply to all, including officials and media: Ganga Sabha

Haridwar: Amid growing calls to restrict the entry of non-Hindus at Ganga ghats in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area, the Ganga Sabha on Wednesday said the proposed ban should not be limited to devotees alone but must also cover government departments, institutions and media personnel.

Nitin Gautam, president of the Ganga Sabha, which oversees Har Ki Pauri and nearby ghats, said all authorities must ensure that no non-Hindu individual from their respective departments is allowed to enter Har Ki Pauri. He said the restriction should be enforced uniformly, irrespective of profession or designation.

“Whether it is a government official, an employee of an institution or a media person, the entry of all non-Hindus should be prohibited in these areas of the Kumbh region,” Gautam said.

He stressed that the Sanatan tradition, the religious identity of the Ganga and the spiritual significance of Har Ki Pauri must be preserved at all costs. Gautam also cited the Haridwar Municipal Corporation bylaws of 1916, which he said prohibit the entry of non-Hindus at Har Ki Pauri and surrounding ghats and called for their implementation within the framework of constitutional provisions.

Referring to an incident on Tuesday, Gautam said two youths were seen moving around Har Ki Pauri while filming videos dressed as Arab sheikhs. He alleged that such acts were attempts to disturb the religious atmosphere of the area and warned that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

The Ganga Sabha president demanded that clear signboards barring the entry of non-Hindus be installed at Har Ki Pauri and nearby ghats. He also urged the district administration to remain alert and take strict steps to maintain the sanctity of the religious site.

Gautam said he has discussed the issue with several senior government officials and appealed to them to ensure that no non-Hindu employee is posted in the restricted area. He also requested media organisations not to assign non-Hindu journalists to cover events from within these zones.

Recently, the Ganga Sabha and various saint groups have formally demanded that all Ganga ghats under the Kumbh Mela area, including Har Ki Pauri, be declared restricted zones for non-Hindus. The Uttarakhand government is said to be seriously considering the proposal.

(with inputs from agencies)