Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Haridwar Religious Site Bars Non-Hindus
In Haridwar, India, signs saying 'Non-Hindu prohibited area' have been put up at Har Ki Pauri, a holy place by the Ganges River.
This is because of an old law from 1916 that says non-Hindus are not allowed there.
The signs were put up after a video showed two young men in traditional Arab clothes walking around, but it turned out they were actually Hindus.
The group that manages the area, called Ganga Sabha, wants to keep the area only for Hindus to keep it holy.
The local government is thinking about making this rule for the whole Haridwar Kumbh area before a big religious event next year.
Some people disagree and say it's not fair to stop people from different religions from visiting.
Signs reading 'Non-Hindu prohibited area' were installed at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
The Ganga Sabha, which manages Har Ki Pauri, put up the signs to enforce the Haridwar Municipal Act of 1916, which prohibits non-Hindus from entering the area.
The signs were installed after a viral video showed two young men in Kandura attire, which was later revealed to be a misunderstanding as they were Hindus.
The Ganga Sabha has demanded that all religious places and Ganga ghats in the Haridwar Kumbh area be restricted to non-Hindus before the 'Ardh Kumbh' next year.
The Uttarakhand government is seriously considering the demand to restrict non-Hindus in the Haridwar Kumbh area.
- Who
- Ganga Sabha, Haridwar Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar, Uttarakhand government, Opposition parties
- What
- Installation of 'Non-Hindu prohibited area' signs at Har Ki Pauri
- When
- Signs were put up on Friday, following a viral video incident three days prior
- Where
- Har Ki Pauri and surrounding ghats in Haridwar, Uttarakhand
- Why
- To enforce the Haridwar Municipal Act of 1916 and maintain the sanctity of the area, following a viral video incident
- Location
- Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
- Organization
- Ganga Sabha
- Bylaw Reference
- Haridwar Municipal Act of 1916
- Incident Trigger
- Video of two young men in Kandura attire
- Government Consideration
- Uttarakhand government considering restricting non-Hindus in Haridwar Kumbh area
Sources
'Non-Hindu Prohibited Area' Boards Put Up In Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri
Boards come up at Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri barring entry of non-Hindus
Uttarakhand: Hoardings barring entry of non-Hindus put up at Haridwar religious site, row erupts
Priests’ body bans non-Hindus’ at Har-Ki-Pauri, installs prohibitory banners, posters
