Are You a Non-Hindu Travelling to Rishikesh for River Rafting? Beware, You May Not Be Allowed

The Uttarakhand government is weighing a proposal that could significantly change access norms at Haridwar's riverfront.

The plan under consideration would extend an existing restriction at Har-ki-Pauri to all 105 ghats in the city, potentially barring non-Hindus from entering these sacred spaces. If approved, the move would mark a wider revival of an arrangement first discussed during the British period and could come into effect ahead of the Ardh Kumbh in 2027.

Push to extend ghat restrictions beyond Har-ki-Pauri

At present, limitations on non-Hindu entry apply mainly to Har-ki-Pauri, the most prominent ghat in Haridwar. Religious leaders and members linked to Ganga Sabha, which manages Har-ki-Pauri, have urged the state to broaden these restrictions to all ghats along the Ganga. Alongside this, the government is examining a proposal to formally recognise Haridwar and Rishikesh as "sanatan pavitra shehar", or holy cities, according to reports.

Sources indicated that the timing of any decision is being aligned with preparations for the Ardh Kumbh, scheduled to begin on Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2027. Officials are also studying the historical context behind earlier restrictions to assess their present-day applicability.

1916 agreement and its relevance today

Central to the discussion is a 1916 agreement involving Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, a Bharat Ratna awardee and the first president of the Ganga Sabha, and the then British administration. The agreement aimed to safeguard the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga and protect Haridwar's religious character.

Under its provisions, non-Hindus were restricted from entering river ghats and were not permitted permanent residence in Haridwar and Rishikesh, except for work-related visits. Sources said the Uttarakhand government is "seriously looking to restore the provisions of the original agreement" in some form.

State government signals support for protecting sanctity

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has publicly underlined the cultural reasoning behind the proposal. "Our govt will take every necessary step to protect the unique spiritual and cultural identity of Devbhoomi. The Himalayan state is the centre of faith for sanatan believers," he said. He added that "Haridwar and Rishikesh are major centres of faith," and confirmed that the idea of declaring them "sanatan cities" is under consideration.

The demand has gained urgency with the approach of the next Kumbh cycle, which the state has already announced will be organised on a grand and religious scale.

Support from Ganga Sabha, criticism from others

Backing the proposal, Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam said, "It is the need of the hour that before the upcoming Kumbh, the entry of non-Hindus should be banned at all Ganga ghats and religious places in the Kumbh Mela area." He welcomed the government's plan to hold a divine and grand Kumbh in Haridwar.

He further said, "According to the municipal rules, the Haridwar municipal area is declared a non-Hindu and meat-alcohol prohibited zone, and the government should ensure complete compliance with these rules so that the sanctity of the pilgrimage site is maintained." Gautam also claimed that non-Hindus were living in areas such as Bairagi Camp by concealing their identity, adding that authorities should identify and remove such residents.

Not everyone agrees. Former Ganga Sabha president Ashok Tripathi voiced reservations, saying, "By-laws of Haridwar nagar palika do ban non-Hindus' entry into Har-ki-Pauri area, except those on govt duty. But personally, I'm not in favour of any such ban," as quoted by ToI. Opposition parties also criticised the idea of a blanket restriction. Congress leader Ashok Sharma asked, "Are BJP-RSS bigger Hindus than Madan Mohan Malviya who had sought ban of non-Hindus' entry only in Har-ki-Pauri?"