Rudraprayag: Uttarakhand police issued 275 challans between May 22 and July 28 to the people who were caught making videos for social media in the premises of Kedarnath temple. This figure was revealed in an RTI reply received by an activist from Noida.
Uttarakhand government has implemented a ban on making reels
In the month of May this year, the Uttarakhand government implemented a ban on making reels and filming videos within a 50-meter radius of the Char Dham shrines. This decision, issued by Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, was aimed to address the inconvenience caused to devotees by the increasing number of people filming for social media. This ban was applied to all the four shrines Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
Police have issued 275 challans in two months
“As per the information received, Rudraprayag police have issued 275 challans in the duration between May 22 to July 28. We need to understand the sanctity of these places and maintain their dignity. Hopefully, these rules continue to be strictly enforced,” said this activist. These challans were issued under section 81 of Uttarakhand police act and a total of Rs 78,500 was collected in fines. This decision was also made to preserve the sanctity of these holy sites and to ensure a respectful and serene experience for all pilgrims.
Mobile phones are not banned
The ban was implemented due to concerns about the disruption caused by people making reels, which often involved large crowds and loud music, disturbing the peace and causing inconvenience to other devotees. The Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand emphasized that while mobile phones are not banned, their use for videography or making reels within the specified radius is prohibited.
Reports of chaos due to the YouTubers and social media influencers
There have been reports of chaos at the Char Dham shrines due to the activities of YouTubers and social media influencers. The large influx of visitors, combined with people making videos and reels, has led to significant disruptions. This includes overcrowding, traffic jams, and disturbances to the peaceful environment that pilgrims seek. The situation has been particularly challenging at Kedarnath, where the narrow paths and limited infrastructure have struggled to accommodate the surge in visitors.
