Overview
- BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi announced a standardized affidavit requirement for any non-Hindu seeking darshan, stating it would apply equally to high-profile visitors including Sara Ali Khan.
- The board approved a proposal on March 9–10 to prohibit entry of non-Sanatanis to temple complexes and garbhagrihas across 47 shrines under its jurisdiction and forwarded it for government consideration.
- Implementation remains pending state review ahead of the Char Dham season, and Sara Ali Khan has not publicly responded to the new requirement.
- The committee also outlined administrative steps such as restrictions on mobile phones and cameras near the shrines and said standard operating procedures will be drafted.
- Political and legal questions have followed, with opponents citing constitutional concerns as the BKTC defends the move as a protection of temple tradition dating back to Adi Shankaracharya and notes heavy yatra registrations exceeding six lakh.