Haridwar, Jan. 11 -- The Ganga Sabha, the managing body of the Har-ki-Pauri's Brahmakund in Haridwar, has triggered a controversy after its teerth purohits (priests) began checking the identity cards of vendors, labourers, and other "suspected people" at the ghats allegedly to verify their religious identity. The move follows the sabha's formal demand that the Uttarakhand government prohibit non-Hindus from entering, staying, or engaging in commercial activities within the Kumbh Mela zone, including Har-ki-Pauri and its adjoining ghats. On Saturday, priests associated with the Sabha were seen inspecting the identification documents of shop attendants, hawkers, waiters, and beggars. Defending the random verification drive, Ganga Sabha secretary Ujjwal Pandit said: "The presence of non-Hindus at the sanctum sanctorum and adjoining ghats can hurt the sentiments of devotees and also pose security concerns." City police station in-charge Ritesh Shah, however, noted that official security measures are already in place. "Verification drives are conducted regularly by the police; if violations are found, legal action is taken. We also carry out checks at the Ganga ghats to ensure that no anti-social elements engage in illegal activities or disturb law and order," he said. High court lawyer Kartikeya Hari Gupta said that restricting a person's business activity or presence in a particular area on the basis of religion is "unconstitutional" and "unlawful". htc...