Hoteliers ask govt to allow unregistered pilgrims, hold stir

HARIDWAR: Opposing the state government’s move of not allowing unregistered pilgrims from taking Char Dham pilgrimage, Uttarkashi Hotel Association members took a symbolic “jal Samadhi” at Manikarnika ghat in Uttarkashi on Monday.

Hotel Association Uttarkashi president Shailendra Mathuda expressed displeasure over pilgrims being stopped and returned from registration checking barriers. “On one side, the government is inviting pilgrims through media advertisements for Char Dham pilgrimage. On the other in name of mandatory registration, many pilgrims are being sent back. Every pilgrim coming to Char Dham pilgrimage hopes of paying obeisance and makes sincere efforts. “But making them retreat back just for not having got registered is a tyrant guideline which needs to be scrapped otherwise sentiments of pilgrims will get severely hurt,” said Mathuda.

Citing loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hoteliers said when this year record turnout is being witnessed, the government has put restrictions on the pilgrimage which is not acceptable. “As pilgrims are being returned many bookings have also got cancelled affecting hotel and travel tour operators’ business. Whole year we wait for Char Dham pilgrimage season but such measures are impacting our business”, said Mathuda.

Hotel association representatives warned of staging road blockage on Wednesday at Chungi Badethi on Gangotri national highway if their demand is not met.

Gangotri legislator Suresh Chauhan has urged protesting the hotel association members not to take the agitation route as he will convey their concern to the government. “I met protesting hotel association members and assured them of apprising tourism minister and chief minister about their demands.”

Uttarkashi police station SHO Kamal Kumar Lunthi said protesting hotel Association members who went into the river were brought back.