The Uttarakhand government is actively considering a proposal to prohibit the entry of non-Hindus into the 105 ghats of Haridwar, which span a vast area of 120 square kilometers. This move comes in response to demands from certain religious seers and the Ganga Sabha, the body responsible for the upkeep of the primary Har-ki-Pauri ghat.
Reviving a Century-Old Agreement
According to sources, the state administration is delving into historical records, specifically the terms of a 1916 pact between Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and the British authorities. Madan Mohan Malviya, the inaugural president of the Ganga Sabha, was instrumental in this agreement which aimed to safeguard the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga and preserve the sacred character of the pilgrimage town.
The century-old provisions included restrictions on non-Hindus accessing the Ganga ghats. It also stipulated that non-Hindus could not establish permanent residency in Haridwar and Rishikesh, permitting entry only for work-related purposes with the condition to depart after task completion. Government sources indicate a serious intent to "restore the provisions of the original agreement."
Holy City Declaration and Political Stance
Parallel to the ghat entry discussion, the state is contemplating designating both Haridwar and Rishikesh as 'sanatan pavitra shehar' or holy cities. The implementation of these measures could potentially commence from the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2027, scheduled to begin on Makar Sankranti, January 14.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized his government's commitment, stating, "Our govt will take every necessary step to protect the unique spiritual and cultural identity of Devbhoomi." He affirmed that the Himalayan state is a central hub of faith for Sanatan believers and that declaring Haridwar and Rishikesh as "sanatan cities" is under consideration.
Mixed Reactions and Internal Divergence
The proposal has sparked a spectrum of reactions. Nitin Gautam, the president of Ganga Sabha, had previously advocated for declaring the entire Kumbh Mela area and Haridwar city a zone free of non-Hindus. However, he later clarified to TOI that this demand was made in his former capacity as the Haridwar president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and that no formal resolution on the matter has been passed by the Ganga Sabha.
Within the Ganga Sabha itself, opinions differ. While General Secretary Tanmay Vashishth remained non-committal, ex-president Ashok Tripathi expressed his personal dissent. "By-laws of Haridwar nagar palika do ban non-Hindus' entry into Har-ki-Pauri area, except those on govt duty. But personally, I'm not in favour of any such ban," Tripathi stated.
Local residents and experts have also voiced concerns. Legal practitioner Sudhanshu Dwivedi called the idea neither feasible nor desirable, while retired engineer Rakesh Chandra warned it could tarnish the liberal image of Hinduism. The political arena reflects this divide. Congress leader Ashok Sharma questioned the need for a blanket ban, asking if the BJP-RSS were "bigger Hindus" than Malviya, who sought restrictions only at Har-ki-Pauri. BJP's former Haridwar district president, Sandeep Goel, distanced the party from the demand, stating, "This is not our party line..."
