VHP Leader Calls for Restrictions on Non-Hindus at Haridwar Ganga Ghats Ahead of Ardh Kumbh

A senior leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has sparked a fresh debate by urging the Uttarakhand government to impose restrictions on the entry of non-Hindus at key Ganga ghats in Haridwar ahead of the 2027 Ardh Kumbh Mela. The demand has been made in the context of security preparedness and the preservation of religious sanctity at one of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimage centres.

VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi stated that areas associated with the Kumbh Mela, including the iconic Har-ki-Pauri ghat, should be declared an “Amrit Kshetra,” where access would be regulated during major religious events. According to her, such measures are necessary to ensure that large-scale religious rituals and holy dips are conducted without disruption or risk.

The Ardh Kumbh Mela, scheduled to begin on January 14, 2027, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and conclude on Maha Shivratri, is expected to draw an estimated six to seven crore devotees to Haridwar. Given the scale of the gathering, Sadhvi Prachi argued that extraordinary security arrangements must be implemented to prevent any untoward incidents.

Raising concerns over what she described as potential security threats, the VHP leader alleged that individuals with malicious intent could exploit large religious congregations. She claimed there have been instances in the past where sacred spaces were allegedly misused, and warned that such actions could pose serious risks during mass pilgrimage events.

Sadhvi Prachi further demanded that the state enact legal provisions to prevent what she termed “jihadi elements” from entering the Kumbh area during the festival period. In addition to access restrictions, she also called for tighter regulations on property purchases by non-Hindus in and around Haridwar, citing the city’s religious significance and demographic composition.

Drawing international comparisons, she pointed to restrictions imposed on non-Muslims in religious sites such as Mecca and Medina, arguing that similar protective norms should be considered for Hindu pilgrimage centres like Haridwar. She maintained that such measures would help ensure that traditional rituals, festivals, and sacred practices take place peacefully.

The VHP leader also referred to past terror-related incidents elsewhere in the country to underline the importance of preventive security measures. She warned that any lapse during events involving crores of pilgrims could have catastrophic consequences.

Praising the Uttarakhand government’s recent actions against what she described as illegal religious structures and activities, Sadhvi Prachi commended Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for taking firm administrative steps. She urged the state administration to extend similar vigilance in preparation for the Ardh Kumbh Mela.

Haridwar, located along the banks of the Ganga and regarded as one of Hinduism’s seven holiest cities, holds immense spiritual importance. As preparations for the 2027 Ardh Kumbh gather momentum, Sadhvi Prachi’s remarks have added a new dimension to discussions on security, religious rights, and governance in the pilgrimage town.