Following a recent board meeting, the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) announced a strict new protocol for non-Hindu devotees seeking darshan. But what exactly does this mean for the Kedarnath actress?
Here is the complete breakdown of the new temple rules, the specific remarks made about Sara Ali Khan, and how Kangana Ranaut has already weighed in on the massive debate!
The New Temple Directive 📜
The Rule: Addressing the media on Tuesday, BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi confirmed that the committee has unanimously approved a proposal to restrict the entry of "non-Sanatanis" into the Badrinath and Kedarnath temple complexes.
The Condition: Dwivedi clarified that non-Hindus who still wish to offer prayers are welcome, provided they submit a written declaration. He stated, "Those (non-Hindus) who have faith in Sanatan Dharma—and who provide a written declaration stating, 'I am a Sanatani; I believe in Hindutva'—are all welcome."
The Implementation: A standardised format for this affidavit has already been drafted, and the proposal has been forwarded to the Uttarakhand government ahead of the Char Dham Yatra, which begins on 19 April.
"If She Submits an Affidavit..." 🛕
Given that Sara Ali Khan (born to a Muslim father, Saif Ali Khan, and a Sikh mother, Amrita Singh) is one of the most high-profile regular visitors to the shrine, reporters specifically asked the chairman how the new rule would affect her.
The Clarification: Dwivedi made it clear that there would be no celebrity exceptions. He explicitly stated, "If Sara Ali Khan affirms that she holds faith and devotion towards Sanatan, and subsequently submits an affidavit to that effect, she will be granted darshan."
Kangana Ranaut Weighs In 🗣️
As the news quickly took over social media, actor-politician Kangana Ranaut was quick to share her perspective.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Wednesday, the BJP MP supported the mandate, stating that there should be no hesitation in declaring one's faith. She remarked, "Sab sanatani hain... Yahan jo bhi hain sanatani hain... Wo bhi sanatani hai, so why fear in writing down the truth."
A Deep, Personal Connection ✨
Sara's bond with the region goes far beyond standard celebrity optics.
Her acting career literally began in the valley with her 2018 debut film, Kedarnath.
Since then, she has made the pilgrimage almost annually, often trekking up without VIP privileges. While she has yet to comment on this new directive, an old clip from a 2025 summit has resurfaced where she fiercely defended her visits, stating, "My personal trip to Kedarnath... is not about any of you. It's about me. I feel comfortable there, I feel peaceful there, I feel happy there."
SantaBanta Verdict:
Religion and spirituality are incredibly personal journeys, and Sara Ali Khan has consistently proven that her devotion to Kedarnath is genuine and deep-rooted. While the BKTC's decision aims to preserve the sanctity of the traditions, asking a devoted, regular pilgrim to sign a legal affidavit to prove her faith has understandably sparked a massive debate about inclusivity. It will be very interesting to see how the actress gracefully navigates this new protocol on her next visit!
