“Not for tourism”: VHP International President backs ban on non-hindus’ entry into temples

LUCKNOW: VHP demanded Monday a ban on entry of non-Hindus at major temples in UP, including Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi and Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, widening a simmering national debate over religious sanctity and public access.VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains could be exempted, contending their faiths originated in India. He alleged attempts by “ill-intentioned” non-Hindus to enter temples. On Jan 10, a 55-year-old man from J&K, identified as Ahmed Sheikh, was detained after allegedly attempting to offer namaz inside Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. Family members said he was not mentally sound.VHP’s demand follows similar moves in Uttarakhand, where temple committees of Gangotri and Badrinath-Kedarnath have announced plans to bar non-Hindus from shrines starting with upcoming Char Dham Yatra season, after portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri reopen in April. Bansal said temples were places of worship, not tourist attractions. “The temples are not tourist spots for making reels. They are meant for worship,” he said, adding the ban should be strictly enforced to restrict the entry of people whom he described as “anasthawan” (non-believers).Pressure to restrict access has also come from Haridwar, where Ganga Sabha, a trust managing religious affairs of ghats, has demanded a ban on non-Hindus at 2027 Kumbh Mela.