Uttarakhand Char Dham yatra: In a single day, 37 people faced challan for reel making in Badrinath
Badrinath: Despite a rule has come into force for not filming any video or making reel in the radius of 50 meters around all the Char Dham shrines-Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath-the people are not refraining from committing this crime. On Thursday, the Uttarakhand police took action against 37 people for making reels in Badrinath shrine.
Strict action against making reels in Badrinath
The police have taken strict action on Thursday against devotees who were making reels (short videos) in the Badrinath temple premises. Approximately 37 people have been issued challans (fines) for this offense. Each person has to pay ₹500, and their mobile phones have been confiscated for 8 hours.
Police issued challans to 15 people on Wednesday
The authorities are continuing to enforce measures against such activities to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage experience for all visitors. On 22 May, Wednesday , the police issued challans to 15 people for making reel videos using their mobile phones in the Badrinath Dham area. Police confiscated everyone’s mobiles. After about eight hours, everyone was given a challan of Rs 500 each and the mobiles were returned.
State government banned making reels in radius of 50 meters
The state government has banned making reels and videography within a radius of 50 meters in the temple premises of all the four shrines. According to circle officer Badrinath, Navneet Bhandari, “Those making reels in the temple premises included travelers from Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh as well as other regions. He further said, “if the situation is not controlled then a case will also be registered against the makers of the reel and videos.”
Recently, state director general of police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar held a meeting with police officers regarding Char Dham yatra the police headquarters in Dehradun and said that a case will be filed against those who are not in accordance with the law in this matter. Offenders creating disturbances at the religious sites will be booked under the Police Act. If there is evidence that the offender acted with malicious intent to hurt religious sentiments, they could also be booked under section 295A of the IPC.
Nuisance was created because of youtubers and vloggers
The temple authorities and pilgrims were having a difficult time due to the presence of youtubers and vloggers in the temple premises. The reel making activities were hampering the darshan and religious rituals, particularly, when all the shrines are witnessing a massive turn out of pilgrims these days. On the request of priests and pilgrims, the state government has put a ban on reel making in the radius of 50 meters of Char Dham temples. The decision aims to uphold the sanctity of these revered temples and prevent disruptions during the Char Dham yatra, especially considering the significant influx of devotees.