Proposal For No Non-Hindu Entry in Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra.

Char-Dham Authorities Weigh Entry Restrictions for Non-Hindus at Kedarnath, Badrinath and 47 Temples Amid Wider Uttarakhand Debate.

Upendra Bharati | HENB | Dehradun | Jan 27, 2026:: In a move that has reignited debate over religious tradition, constitutional rights, and inclusivity, the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) is considering a proposal to restrict the entry of non-Hindus at the Char Dham shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, as well as 47 other temples under its administration.

The proposal comes close on the heels of a similar plan being examined by the Uttarakhand government to bar the entry of non-Hindus at 105 ghats in the Kumbh area of Haridwar. According to sources familiar with the matter, the BKTC proposal is expected to be placed before the committee’s board in the near future and enjoys the backing of a majority of stakeholders.

“Rooted in Longstanding Tradition”

BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi told The Times of India that the proposed restriction is grounded in religious tradition rather than contemporary political considerations.

“This has been followed since the time of Adi Shankaracharya. We see nothing wrong in preserving religious traditions,” Dwivedi said, adding that entry for non-Hindus had “historically been restricted at the shrines.”

Dwivedi cited Article 26 of the Indian Constitution, which grants religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs in matters of religion. He asserted that the committee is constitutionally empowered to take such a decision.

Clarifying concerns over the terminology, Dwivedi said the phrase “non-Hindus” should not be misunderstood or viewed narrowly. “Those who respect our faith are welcome. The dhams are centres of faith, not tourism,” he said, suggesting that the intent of the proposal is to preserve the sanctity of the shrines rather than to exclude visitors arbitrarily.

Parallel Moves by Uttarakhand Government

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government is weighing a broader set of measures aimed at reinforcing the religious character of key pilgrimage centres. Officials are considering restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus at 105 ghats across Haridwar and are also examining a proposal to declare Haridwar and Rishikesh as “sanatan pavitra shehar” (eternally holy cities).

Sources indicate that the process could begin with the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, scheduled to commence on January 14. The government may draw upon provisions of a 1916 agreement involving Ganga Sabha founder Madan Mohan Malviya, which historically emphasized the protection of religious practices along the Ganga.

Legal and Social Implications

The developments are likely to spark legal scrutiny and public debate, particularly around questions of constitutional equality, freedom of religion, and access to public धार्मिक sites. Legal experts note that while Article 26 provides autonomy to religious denominations, such measures must still be balanced against other constitutional guarantees, including Articles 14 and 25.

Social commentators have also pointed out that the Char Dham shrines attract not only Hindu pilgrims but also scholars, spiritual seekers, and tourists from across the world, making the issue both sensitive and complex.

What Lies Ahead

With the BKTC board yet to formally deliberate on the proposal, and the Uttarakhand government still in the consultation phase, no final decision has been announced. However, the convergence of temple-level initiatives and state-level policy discussions suggests that the coming months could see significant changes in how access to some of India’s most prominent pilgrimage sites is regulated.

As authorities move forward, the balance between preserving religious tradition and upholding constitutional values is likely to remain at the center of the unfolding debate.
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_Agency Inputs.