Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi on Tuesday called for a complete ban on the entry of non-Hindus at the ghats of the Ganga in Haridwar. She also demanded that the Kumbh Mela area and Har-ki-Pauri be declared an āAmrit Kshetraā and that strict restrictions be imposed on the entry of non-Hindus in these areas.
The remarks were made during a press conference ahead of the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which will begin on January 14, 2027, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The fair will continue for 45 days and conclude on Shivratri. According to administrative estimates, six to seven crore devotees are expected to attend the event.
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During the press conference, Sadhvi Prachi said that the entry of non-Hindus into the Kumbh Mela premises could create the possibility of what she termed ājihadi activities.ā She demanded that the government bring a law to stop the entry of ājihadisā into the Kumbh area and also sought restrictions on non-Hindus purchasing property in the region.
She also raised objections to non-Hindus bathing at the ghats of Haridwar. She said she had recently come to know that some women from Delhi had bathed there with what she described as improper intentions, and argued that such actions should be prevented. Drawing a comparison with restrictions on non-Muslims in places like Mecca and Medina, she said similar norms could be considered for Haridwar to ensure that religious rituals are conducted without disturbance. She added that Haridwar and its surrounding areas have a predominantly Hindu population and stressed that no untoward incidents should take place during festivals and ritual bathing events.
At the press conference, the VHP leader also referred to the Delhi car explosion incident in which 15 people were killed near the Red Fort last year. Citing that case, she expressed concern that the chemical used, ammonium nitrate, has been associated with terrorist attacks, and cautioned that if such a substance were to enter the Ganga, where crores of people bathe, it could have grave consequences and lead to significant loss of life.
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Haridwar has a total of 105 ghats spread across a 120-km stretch. No official announcement has been made so far regarding restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus at these ghats. However, according to a media source, the Uttarakhand government is reportedly considering the matter.
