Ganga Sabha threatens legal action over ‘ghar wapsi’ group’s dip at Har ki Pauri

HARIDWAR: The Ganga Sabha, which administers the Har ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar, has threatened legal action against a group of people who took a dip in the Ganga on Sunday, alleging they “misrepresented” themselves as having converted to Hinduism.Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam said around two dozen people, led by Ram Vishal Das of Vishwa Sanatan Mahapeeth, visited the ghat and performed the ritual bath. Some members of the group were seen wearing skull caps typically associated with Muslims, raising objections from the Ganga Sabha.“As per instructions, our staff allowed them to take a dip. However, if they had embraced Hinduism, their attire raises questions,” Gautam said, adding that entry of non-Hindus is not permitted at Har ki Pauri.Meanwhile, Ram Vishal Das claimed the group comprised over 100 people from different parts of the country, who travelled from Bijnor under police protection and stayed overnight at Gurukul Kangri before reaching Haridwar. He said the group had administrative permission and carried out the ritual between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm under police security, citing potential threats faced by those converting to Hinduism.Reacting to the issue, Ganga Sabha general secretary Tanmay Vashishth said he had received prior information from SP (City) Abhay Kumar Singh about the group’s visit.He added that the group members described themselves as ex-Muslims but still mentioned their Muslim names. “This should not have happened if they had really converted to Sanatan Dharma,” he said, adding “even foreigners coming to Har ki Pauri wear tilak on their forehead and wear Hindu attire.”He further alleged that “members of the group took off their skull caps after the intervention of the administration and not before coming to the ghat”. Vashishth added he was not in the city, and upon his return, will talk to other Ganga Sabha officials and take a decision on whether to take legal action in the matter or not.