Haridwar-based association of the local priests and purohits Shri Ganga Sabha has banned the entry of non-Hindus into renowned religious centre Har-Ki-Pauri. Several banners and posters installed at Har-Ki-Pauri, along with other places, prohibiting the entry of non-Hindus in the area triggered a major debate in the state.
Office bearers of more than a century old Shri Ganga Sabha emphasised that non-Hindus at several ghats, including Har-Ki-Pauri, has been banned to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrimage site. They claimed that the banners and notice boards to this effect were installed at various locations by their organisation as per the law and a British era Act of Haridwar Municipal corporation.
According to them, the Ganga Sabha has issued a clear warning on these boards that legal action would be taken against those violating the rules.
“The purpose of installing the boards against non-Hindus was for us to remind and remain vigilant of recent incidents created by non-Hindus at Har-Ki-Pauri. We all must understand the sanctity of the Internationally renowned pilgrimage site and norms must be adhered before coming to Har-Ki-Pauri. The entire world has recently witnessed the move to tamper and tarnish the belief of Sanatan Dharma. This step is taken for preserving the sanctity of the religious site”Nitin Gautam, President, Shri Ganga Sabha.
The banners, placed at Har Ki Pauri, Malviya Island, and other ghats have become a topic of discussion as Shri Ganga Sabha prohibited making videos or reels on film songs at the ghats. They threatened action against those responsible for videos of Har-Ki-Pauri and other places found in any social media platform. Interestingly, the Haridwar district administration is yet to respond to the act of Shri Ganga Mahasabha, formed by freedom fighter, statesman and Banaras Hindu University founder Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916.
Malviya and local priests and Mahants founded Shri Ganga Sabha to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted flow of the Ganga.
Its significance is that the then British regime had recognised Haridwar as a sacred city and vital to Hindu Sanatan culture. It’s significant that the British government had granted Municipal status to Haridwar and enacted the law stating that consumption or sale of meat and alcohol would be strictly prohibited within a three-kilometer radius of this area.”