Haridwar: A new controversy related to Haridwar Ganga Deep Mahotsav has emerged today when an apex priest body ‘Ganga Sabha’ objected to the entry of non-Hindus in this program which is to be held today evening on Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar. They have communicated with the administration, stating that according to the Municipal Corporation’s bylaws, non-Hindus should not be allowed in the Har Ki Pauri area during the event.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami will inaugurate Ganga Deep Mahotsav today and more than 3 lakh lamps will be lit on 52 ghats in Haridwar. Additionally, a show of 500 drones will be the key attraction of this program.
No non-Hindu will be allowed irrespective of his position
Ganga Sabha President Nitin Gautam stated that no non-Hindu has ever participated in Ganga Aarti or any program at Har Ki Pauri. He emphasized that even for the upcoming Deep Mahotsav program, which will be attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, they oppose the participation of any non-Hindu, regardless of their position. Gautam highlighted that they aim to ensure all activities at Har Ki Pauri adhere to the rules and respect the faith of millions of Hindus. He mentioned that there is a law prohibiting non-Hindus from entering the Har Ki Pauri area and that they have communicated this to the administration.
Administration assured Ganga Sabha about this
Ganga Sabha President Nitin Gautam further stated that the administration has assured them that no non-Hindu will participate in the program. If this assurance is breached, Ganga Sabha will take legal action. He also mentioned that previously, they did not allow a former governor of Uttarakhand to participate in Ganga Aarti directly; instead, the governor participated from a distance. In 2015, then-Uttarakhand Governor and Ganga devotee Aziz Qureshi expressed his desire to attend the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri. However, the same Ganga Sabha rule prevented him from participating. Instead, a chair was arranged for him at Malviya Ghat, from where he observed the Aarti.
It is clearly mentioned in the rule book
Mentioning an agreement between Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and the British government, Nitin Gautam, President, Ganga Sabha stated, “It is a common notion in the religious city of Haridwar and the yoga city of Rishikesh, non-Hindus are not allowed to stay overnight. This rule dates back to an agreement made in 1916 between Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and the British government. The current rule book, translated into Hindi in 1954, clearly states that non-Hindus are prohibited from entering the areas of Sam Bhumi Khand, Dweepakar, Har Ki Pauri, and Kushavart Ghat.”
Ganga Deep Mahotsav is be held in Haridwar today
To mark the silver Jubilee year of Uttarakhand foundation, Ganga Deep Mahotsav program is being organized in Haridwar today on the evening of Monday 11 November. For the Ganga Deep Mahotsav, over 300,000 lamps will be lit across 52 ghats in the holy city of Haridwar. Four thousand volunteers will participate in the event. The highlight of the Ganga Deep Mahotsav will be a mesmerizing show featuring 500 drones.
