Badrinath-Kedarnath Proposal: Autonomy, Not Exclusion, for Hindu Temples

• The Badrinath and Kedarnath temple committees propose restricting entry to non-Hindus, sparking secular disapproval.
• This move is framed as an assertion of religious autonomy, aiming to reclaim Hindu places of worship from excessive State control.
• Unlike other faiths, Hindu temples in India are often designated as public religious institutions, leading to intrusive government management.
• The article argues that temples are sacred spaces, not public parks or tourist destinations, and their sanctity requires the authority to define entry conditions.
• Critics are accused of denying Hindu institutions the autonomy enjoyed by other faiths, which manage their internal affairs with minimal State intrusion.

Why It Matters: The Badrinath-Kedarnath proposal seeks religious autonomy for Hindu temples, challenging State control and defining sacred space.