Kedarnath MLA demands ban on ‘non-Hindus’ from Char Dham Yatra region

Devotees throng the Kedarnath Temple during the ‘Char Dham Yatra’ in the Rudraprayag district.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Alleging that people of a certain community are indulging in anti-social activities with an aim to defame the revered Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand, Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Kedarnath constituency, Asha Nautiyal, demanded a ban on entry of ‘non-Hindus’ from the temple as well as around the yatra region.

The Opposition Congress mocked the ruling BJP leaders for making “provocative” statements to gain popularity.

Speaking to the media, Ms. Nautiyal, who was elected as Kedarnath MLA in the bypolls held in October last year, said that the residents of her constituency, which houses one of the most famous Shiva temples, have raised concerns over entry of ‘non-Hindus’ near the temple and in the region during the yatra season.

“The concerns were raised during the recently held meeting with locals to review the preparations of the Char Dham yatra, which is starting form the first week of May. The local businessmen pointed out that non-Hindus are deliberately doing certain activities, which are hurting the sentiments of Hindu pilgrims. They demanded a check on it. Since I am an MLA, I have the responsibility to raise this issue with the government so that the sanity of the yatra remains intact,” she said.

According to sources, local businessmen had complained about sales of non-vegetarian food and liquor on the route of the Kedarnath temple. Some have also pointed out recent incidents in which women and girls of the region have allegedly eloped with people of another community that makes a living in the region for business purposes during yatra season.

“These incidents have also sparked communal tension in the area, which is why we want the entry of non-Hindus to be banned in the region,” said a businessman from Sonprayag.

The recently rolled out excise policy in Uttarakhand already bans sale of liquor near religious places.

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat slammed Ms. Nautiyal for making “sensational statements” just to garner attention. He also wondered how even as the BJP has been in power in Uttarakhand for the last eight years, shops selling non-vegetarian food and liquor have cropped up around the pilgrimage sites.

“It seems that there is a race going on among BJP leaders to make sensational remarks. This is Devbhoomi (land of the gods). There is not a single area in the State that is not sacred. Above all, if you really want to solve a problem, if at all it exists, then the MLA just has to call the DM and SSP and ask them to investigate the matter rather than making such statements,” said Mr. Rawat.

Prior to this, religious leaders from the Hindu community had demanded a ban on entry of non-Hindus in Maha Kumbh Mela that concluded on February 26 in Prayagraj. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too had endorsed this demand.