Mon Jan 05 03:04:18 UTC 2026: Summary:

Shri Ganga Sabha, the organization managing Har Ki Pauri and surrounding Ganga ghats in Haridwar, India, has requested the Uttarakhand government to declare the Kumbh Mela area a restricted zone for non-Hindus prior to the Ardh Kumbh in 2027. They advocate for a ban on non-Hindus at Ganga ghats and religious sites within the Kumbh Mela area to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrimage. The organization also claims that non-Hindus reside in Haridwar by concealing their identities and requests their removal.

News Article:

Controversy Brews as Hindu Group Calls for Non-Hindu Ban During 2027 Kumbh Mela

Haridwar, India – January 5, 2026 – The Shri Ganga Sabha, a prominent organization responsible for the management of Har Ki Pauri and surrounding Ganga ghats in Haridwar, has ignited controversy by demanding that the Uttarakhand government restrict access to the Kumbh Mela area for non-Hindus during the upcoming Ardh Kumbh in 2027.

At a press conference held on Sunday, January 4th, Shri Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam asserted the “need of the hour” was a ban on non-Hindus at all Ganga ghats and religious sites within the Kumbh Mela area, citing the importance of preserving the sanctity of the holy event. Gautam lauded the government’s plans for a “divine and grand Kumbh” but emphasized the necessity of upholding municipal regulations that already designate the Haridwar municipal area as a non-Hindu, meat, and alcohol-prohibited zone.

Furthermore, the Shri Ganga Sabha alleges that non-Hindus are residing in areas such as Bairagi Camp, concealing their religious identities, and has called on the government to identify and remove these individuals from Haridwar.

The demand has already sparked heated debate in India, with religious freedom advocates raising concerns about potential discrimination and the impact on tourism. The Uttarakhand government has yet to issue a formal response to the Shri Ganga Sabha’s request. The Ardh Kumbh is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Haridwar in 2027, making this decision a crucial one with significant implications for religious harmony and regional tourism.

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