Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has accepted the demand of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and Gangotri Priests Association for prevention of entry of non Hindus in Chardham shrines. He said that the government would take necessary steps to meet the demand of BKTC and priests of Chardham shrines.
“The state government will take appropriate steps to fulfill the demands of the BKTC and priests’ association. All our primitive religious places and temples are managed by priest associations like Ganga Sabha, Tirth Sabha, Kedar Sabha, and BKTC. The government will move ahead according to their wishes,” he assured.
“Laws pertaining to several religious places were made by the British as well. We are studying these laws and will take appropriate action after that,” he added.
Earlier, Hemant Dwivedi, chief of the BKTC, a major pilgrimage body for Badrinath and Kedarnath, had announced that the entry of non Hindus will be prohibited in all temples falling under its jurisdiction. “A resolution to this effect will be passed in the next board meeting of the BKTC.” he said.
Dwivedi further said, “Protecting religious and cultural traditions of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is paramount. Traditionally, the entry of non-Hindus has been restricted across the chain of temples established from Kedar Khand to Manas Khand in Kumaon. However, these traditions were frequently violated during the tenure of non-BJP governments. Now, strict actions will be taken to ensure that the traditions are revoked.”
Hemant Dwivedi’s views were echoed by Ganga Sabha head Suresh Semwal, who said, “Gangotri and other Chardham shrines are not tourist spots. These are purely pilgrimage sites and devotees are required to keep its sanctity intact. Non Hindus will now be prohibited from visiting the temple from the coming pilgrimage season.”