The Uttarakhand government is considering restricting the entry of non-Hindus into the pilgrimage town of Haridwar and its surrounding areas, a move aimed at preserving the sanctity of the sacred city. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, speaking exclusively to News18 on Sunday, stated that Haridwar is a holy city and the government is committed to maintaining its spiritual character, especially as the state intensifies preparations for the Kumbh Mela.
Dhami confirmed the government is seriously considering steps to preserve Haridwar’s sanctity, saying old Acts and existing provisions are being studied. According to available information, existing bylaws of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation already restrict the entry of non-Hindus at select Ganga ghats, including the iconic Har Ki Pauri. Historical records suggest that in 1916, Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya agreed with the British government to ensure the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga and safeguard the sanctity of Haridwar and Rishikesh, with provisions from this agreement later incorporated into municipal regulations.
A proposal to extend these restrictions to all 105 Ganga ghats, from Haridwar to Rishikesh, is currently under discussion with seers and the Shri Ganga Sabha, the apex body overseeing religious rituals in Haridwar. Swami Kailashanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Niranjani Akhara, welcomed the proposed move, stating that the Dhami government is considering an important decision to preserve the sanctity of the Ganga city.
Seers have long been demanding that Haridwar be granted the status of a holy city, along with restrictions on the entry and overnight stay of non-Hindus. Haridwar attracts nearly 40 million pilgrims annually, with numbers surging during major bathing festivals, significantly boosting the local economy, though in recent years, the presence of non-Hindu tourists at Ganga ghats has occasionally sparked controversy and online debate.
