Dehradun, Dec 23: A Christmas event planned at Hotel Bhagirathi, a government-run hotel located on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, was cancelled after objections were raised by Hindu organisations, officials said on Monday.
The programme, scheduled for December 24, included activities for children and had been promoted through social media posts. However, the announcement triggered protests from Hindu outfits, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and members of the local priest community, who cited the religious sanctity of Haridwar and the Ganga.
Ujjwal Pandit, an office-bearer of the Shri Ganga Sabha and secretary of the Ganga Sevak Dal, warned that Christmas celebrations on the banks of the Ganga would not be tolerated and said the priest community would stage protests if the event was not cancelled.
The RSS also opposed the programme, saying all organisations must respect Haridwar’s religious beliefs, traditions and cultural dignity.
The hotel management, however, maintained that no event was planned that would hurt Hindu sentiments. Hotel owner Neeraj Gupta said only a Christmas tree was decorated at the reception and games for children were proposed, adding that the hotel strictly follows rules of serving only pure vegetarian food, with non-vegetarian food and alcohol prohibited.
Gupta said a grand Ganga Aarti would be held as scheduled on the banks of the river. Following the objections and warnings of protests, the hotel withdrew the Christmas programme, removed promotional material from social media and confirmed that no Christmas-related event would now take place.
