Gangotri Dham ban on Non‑Hindus sparks political row in Uttarakhand; Harish Rawat calls it BJP election agenda
The ban on entry of non‑Hindus into Gangotri Dham has triggered political and religious debate. Harish Rawat called it a BJP election agenda, Pramod Krishnam retorted, while Muslim leaders opposed the move. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said all stakeholders' views will be considered.
Dehradun: The decision to ban non‑Hindus from entering Gangotri Dham has sparked a nationwide debate, drawing sharp political and religious reactions. The Shri Gangotri Temple Committee announced the ban on Sunday, extending it to Mukhba village, the winter retreat site.
Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat opposed the ban, calling it the BJP’s new election agenda.
Ruling party has run out of issues and is now creating new agendas
Rawat said the ruling party has run out of issues and is now creating new agendas. Rawat argued that religions across the world attract people to their places of worship to showcase their greatness and virtues, not to stop them.
"Religions around the world attract people to their places of worship; they don’t stop them, they attract them, so that others can accept the greatness and virtues of one’s religion. Now, a new tradition has been started. Perhaps, there are no issues left in their election agenda. Therefore, new agendas are being created,” Rawat said.
Pramod Krishnam’s retort
Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam responded sharply to Rawat’s statement. He said Rawat should focus on the Congress party instead of the BJP. "He should first call a meeting of the Congress Working Committee and propose the removal of Rahul Gandhi,” Krishnam remarked.
CM Dhami’s stand
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said the government will consider the views of all stakeholders before reviewing laws related to ancient religious sites. He emphasized that the opinions of pilgrimage committees, temple organizations, saint communities, and local management bodies will be taken into account.
Religious reactions
The ban has also drawn responses from Muslim leaders. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, strongly opposed the decision. He described it as divisive and harmful to communal harmony. "Such actions weaken Hindu‑Muslim brotherhood and harm the unity of the country,” he said.
On the other hand, some leaders like Dr. Ilyasi have supported the move, saying temple committees have the right to decide rules for their places of worship.
Public debate continues
The viral announcement has ignited discussions across social media and public platforms. While some support the temple committee’s right to regulate entry, others believe such bans go against India’s tradition of inclusivity and communal harmony.
The issue has now become both a political flashpoint and a matter of religious sensitivity, with the state government expected to tread carefully in balancing faith, tradition, and social unity.