The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a ban on the entry of non-Hindus into major temples in Uttar Pradesh (UP), including the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, and Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura. This demand has sparked a debate regarding religious sanctity and public access.

VHP's national spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, stated that Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains could be exempted from this ban, arguing that their faiths originated in India. Bansal alleged that "ill-intentioned" non-Hindus are attempting to enter temples. He emphasized that temples are places of worship and not tourist attractions, adding that the ban should be strictly enforced to restrict the entry of "anasthawan" (non-believers).

The call for the ban follows a recent incident on January 10, 2026, where a 55-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir, identified as Ahmed Sheikh, was detained for allegedly attempting to offer namaz inside the Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. While family members claimed that Sheikh was not mentally sound, the incident has fueled the VHP's concerns.

VHP International President Alok Kumar has also voiced his support for the ban, asserting that temples are not for "tourism" and should be respected. He referenced a similar proposal by the Char Dham Temple Committee in Uttarakhand, which has urged the government to ban non-Hindus from entering temples. The Gangotri Dham has already implemented such a ban. The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee is also considering a similar ban for temples under its management.

The Ganga Sabha, a trust managing religious affairs of ghats in Haridwar, has also requested a ban on non-Hindus at the 2027 Kumbh Mela. Furthermore, there are reports that the Uttarakhand government is considering restricting the entry of non-Hindus to the 105 ghats of Haridwar and designating Haridwar and Rishikesh as "sanatan pavitra shehar" (sacred cities).

This is not the first time the VHP has made such demands. In 2010, following an explosion in Varanasi, the VHP called for the city of Kashi to be declared a "protected heritage site" with a ban on non-Hindus. In 2016, the organization objected to the inclusion of a non-Hindu Deputy Commissioner's name on a temple invitation card, deeming it "interference" in temple affairs.

The VHP's stance is that while they respect other faiths, they expect similar respect for Hindu sentiments. They believe temples should be reserved for those who have faith, not for tourism or other purposes.