Demand to ban non-Hindus from Ardh Kumbh Mela gains momentum

A day after the Shri Ganga Sabha, which manages religious activities at various ghats of Haridwar, demanded a ban on the entry of non-Hindus into Ardh-Kumbh mela premises, religious leader Sadhvi Prachi also made a similar demand on Tuesday.

The 45-day-long fair is scheduled to begin in Haridwar on January 14, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival that celebrates the winter harvest. The government is expecting at least 6-7 crore visitors to the fair, which will end on Maha Shivratri.

Speaking to the media, Sadhvi Prachi cited the Red Fort car blast case in New Delhi and sought a ban on the entry of non-Hindus into the fair area.

“ To avoid a similar incident at the Kumbh Mela, where millions of Hindu devotees will gather to take a holy dip in the Ganga, the government should take a firm stand on this issue and ban the entry of non-Hindus into the area,” she said.

A day earlier, Shri Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam told The Hindu that the organisation had urged the government to declare the fair area ‘exclusive’ for Hindus.

“It is the need of the hour that, ahead of the upcoming Kumbh, the entry of non-Hindus should be banned at all Ganga ghats and religious places in the Kumbh Mela area,” he said.

He also cited the 1916 municipal laws, which, he said, prohibit a non-Hindu from visiting the holy ghats and also restrict the sale and consumption of meat and alcohol in the area.

“ This place belongs to us, and there should be no problem accepting the same,” said Mr. Gautam.

After the Hindu organisations expressed similar sentiments, sources in the Chief Minister’s Office said that the CM is expected to hold a meeting with these organisations.