Amid growing debate over religious access to Char Dham shrines, the Yamunotri Dham Temple Committee has said it will consider whether to restrict the entry of non-Hindus into the temple, a move that has already sparked legal and constitutional discussions.
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Yamunotri Dham Temple Committee Secretary Sunil Uniyal stated that no formal meeting has been held on the issue so far. “We have come to know about the decisions taken by Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri temple committees. The matter will be discussed, and a decision will be taken during the committee meeting scheduled in March,” he said.
Following Developments at Other Char Dham Shrines
The development comes after the Shri Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) proposed a ban on the entry of non-Hindus into 47 temples under its control, including the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. The proposal has triggered widespread discussion on religious practices and constitutional safeguards.
Taking a similar stand, the Gangotri Dham Temple Committee announced that it had unanimously decided to restrict the entry of Muslims and Christians into the temple premises.
Gangotri Dham Temple Committee Secretary Suresh Semwal said that individuals who consume beef would not be allowed inside the Dham, associating such practices with specific religious communities.
Legal and Constitutional Debate
Legal experts have raised concerns that blanket restrictions based on religious identity could conflict with constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom of religion. They argue that while temples have autonomy in managing religious affairs, any discriminatory practice may face judicial scrutiny.
As Yamunotri Dham prepares to deliberate on the issue, attention remains focused on how temple authorities balance religious tradition, administrative autonomy, and constitutional principles. Any final decision is expected after the committee meeting in March.
