The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has declared that during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, non-Hindus will not be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. Hemant Dwivedi, the chairman of the temple committee, emphasized that this decision is aimed at preserving the religious traditions and sanctity of worship at these sacred sites. He asserted that it is crucial to maintain the faith and purity of worship practices for the pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra.

Dwivedi highlighted that while all devotees are welcome in the temple complex, only those adhering to Sanatan traditions will be allowed into the sanctum. He reiterated that Badrinath and Kedarnath are not merely tourist spots but significant spiritual centers of Sanatan faith, and thus access to them should not be a general right but governed by religious customs.

For a long time, there has been a consensus among the saint community and religious leaders that to uphold the sanctity of these holy places, the entry of non-Hindus should be restricted. This decision has implications on the accessibility of spiritual sites in India, raising discussions about religious inclusivity versus the preservation of traditional practices.