Kamal Ghorui
DEHRADUN: Close on the heels of a proposal to restrict the entry of non-Hindus at 105 ghats in the Kumbh area at Haridwar, Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), which administers the Char Dham shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath and 47 other temples, is considering a similar move at the shrines under it. The proposal is expected to be placed before BKTC board soon, and has the support of most stakeholders, as per sources.BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi told TOI the proposed restriction was rooted in “long-standing tradition”. “This has been followed since the time of Adi Shankaracharya. We see nothing wrong in preserving religious traditions,” he said, adding that the “entry for non-Hindus has historically been restricted at the shrines”.Citing Article 26 of Constitution, which grants religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs, Dwivedi said the committee was well within its rights to take such a decision. Dwivedi also sought to clarify that the term “non-Hindus” should not be misconstrued. “Those who respect our faith are welcome. The dhams are centres of faith, not tourism.” Meanwhile, Uttarakhand govt is weighing a ban on the entry of non-Hindus at 105 ghats across Haridwar and considering declaring Haridwar and Rishikesh as ‘sanatan pavitra shehar’ (holy cities). Sources said the process could begin with the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, scheduled from Jan 14, and may draw upon provisions of a 1916 agreement involving Ganga Sabha founder Madan Mohan Malviya.
