Kedarnath, Badrinath and 47 affiliated temples considering a ban on entry of non-Hindus

DEHRADUN: Close connected the heels of a connection to restrict the introduction of non-Hindus astatine 105 ghats successful the Kumbh country astatine Haridwar, Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), which administers the Char Dham shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath and 47 different temples, is considering a akin determination astatine the shrines nether it.

The connection is expected to beryllium placed earlier BKTC committee soon, and has the enactment of astir stakeholders, arsenic per sources.BKTC president Hemant Dwivedi told TOI the projected regularisation was rooted successful "long-standing tradition". "This has been followed since the clip of Adi Shankaracharya. We spot thing incorrect successful preserving spiritual traditions," helium said, adding that the "entry for non-Hindus has historically been restricted astatine the shrines".Citing Article 26 of Constitution, which grants spiritual denominations the close to negociate their ain affairs, Dwivedi said the committee was good wrong its rights to instrumentality specified a decision. Dwivedi besides sought to clarify that the word "non-Hindus" should not beryllium misconstrued. "Those who respect our religion are welcome. The dhams are centres of faith, not tourism." Meanwhile, Uttarakhand govt is weighing a prohibition connected the introduction of non-Hindus astatine 105 ghats crossed Haridwar and considering declaring Haridwar and Rishikesh arsenic 'sanatan pavitra shehar' (holy cities). Sources said the process could statesman with the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, scheduled from Jan 14, and whitethorn gully upon provisions of a 1916 statement involving Ganga Sabha laminitis Madan Mohan Malviya.