Dehradun, Jan. 28 -- A fresh political slugfest erupted in the hill state after the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) proposed to ban the entry of non-Hindus in 47 temples under its jurisdiction, with the Opposition Congress and minority institution coming down heavily on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the government of "divisive politics". BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi said the proposal will come up for approval during the upcoming board meeting, which may take place later this month or in the first week of February. Dwivedi, however, suggested that the ban on non-Hindus will exempt Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, and would only apply to Muslims and Christians. "Under Article 25 of the Constitution, the definition of Hindus includes people professing Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism," he said. State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal criticised the state government over the matter, calling it a BJP tactic to divert attention. "It is merely a tactic by the Dhami government to divert attention from the fundamental issues faced by the state," Godiyal said. He further pointed out several topics that required attention. "Why villages are being deserted, why there is massive migration, why unemployment is at its peak, why women feel unsafe, why there is a menace of wild animals, and why recruitment scams are rampant in the state," he said. He alleged that, as always, the Dhami government is resorting to appeasement politics to distract the public from these pressing issues. "This mindset is not only worrying, but also goes against the very identity of "Devbhoomi" (land of gods), which has never been associated with narrow-mindedness or discrimination. This land has always been a land of faith, coexistence, and inclusivity, not of hatred and division," Godiyal said. He said that while maintaining the sanctity and order of religious sites is necessary, politics that divides society in their name is unacceptable. Dehradun based Muslim Sewa Sangathan said the proposal is "unconstitutional" and it appears to be a step forward by the BJP to convert the constitutional country into a "Hindu Rashtra". "They just want to push forward the social untouchability of Muslims in the country," he said, adding that by doing this, they are destroying the composite culture of the country. BKTC chairperson Dwivedi, however, defended the proposal. "The entry of non-Hindus has traditionally been restricted in these temples. There is now a need to give it a formal shape because instances of 'land jihad' and the construction of mazaars have emerged in the state. Strict measures are required to maintain the sanctity of Devbhoomi and its sacred shrines, so that the fundamental character of the state remains intact," he said. "We held consultations with various stakeholders, including priests and religious bodies, who were of the view that the entry of non-Hindus should be prohibited," he said. Dwivedi said he verbally communicated the proposal to the government and would formally submit it after it is passed in the board meeting. Responding to the Congress' allegations, Dwivedi said, "They have no issues left and are now trying to politicise this matter." Meanwhile, the Gangotri Temple Committee on Sunday decided to ban non-Hindus from entering the Gangotri Dham....