Haridwar Ghat Non-Hindu Ban: Municipal Corporation Clarifies It’s a Pre-Independence Provision

Haridwar, Uttarakhand: Ahead of the grand Kumbh Mela 2027 preparations, questions have arisen over restrictions on non-Hindus at Har Ki Pauri and 104 other ghats in Haridwar. Some reports suggested a new policy was being imposed to bar non-Hindus from these sacred areas. The Haridwar Municipal Corporation (HMC) has now issued a clarification, stating that this is not a new rule but a longstanding provision that dates back to pre-Independence times.

Municipal Corporation Sets the Record Straight
HMC officials explained that the restriction applies to non-Hindus entering the Har Ki Pauri area, except for officials visiting for official work. Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar emphasized that presenting this as a new government order or policy is factually incorrect.

He noted that the guidelines are detailed in the official manual, specifically under Point 20, which explicitly mentions restrictions on non-Hindus entering the Har Ki Pauri area. The intent of this provision is to preserve the religious sanctity and traditions of the ghat.

Appeal to Media
The Municipal Corporation also highlighted that some recent media reports created confusion by suggesting that the state government is introducing a new restriction. The HMC urged the media to verify facts thoroughly before publishing on sensitive issues, to prevent the spread of misinformation and public misunderstanding.