Uttarakhand Temples Require Faith Affidavit for Non-Hindus

In a move stirring debate among Bollywood circles and pilgrims alike, the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has imposed new restrictions requiring non-Hindus to submit an affidavit affirming their faith in Sanatan Dharma before entering key shrines in Uttarakhand, including the famed Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. The policy, announced this week, directly impacts actress Sara Ali Khan, a frequent visitor to Kedarnath, who must now provide such a declaration to continue her tradition of offerings at the sites.

The decision stems from a board meeting of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee on March 10, where members unanimously approved barring non-Sanatanis from the inner sanctums of 47 temples under their oversight. Committee Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, speaking at a press conference in Dehradun on Tuesday, clarified that the rule applies to anyone not following Sanatan Dharma but allows exceptions for those who demonstrate belief through a written statement. "Those non-Hindus who have faith in Sanatan Dharma and who provide a written declaration stating, 'I am a Sanatani, I believe in Hindutva,' are all welcome," Dwivedi said.

Dwivedi addressed Khan specifically when...