Representative Image Less than a week after Kedarnath shrine opened for Char Dham yatra, police de- ployed for crowd management are grappling with a different set of challenges — visitors lighting crackers for birthday events in the temple zone, devotees waving political party flags in front of the shrine, and vloggers enter- ing risky glacier stretches for reels. Police have registered multiple FIRs, while officers said social media monitoring had been tightened. One recent case involved bursting of crack- ers near Kedarnath temple during a birthday celebration, after which cops registered an FIR against an unidentified person linked to Insta- gram handle ‘Sumit-Ke-Blog’. The case was registered under BNS Sec 353(3), dealing with public mischief within a place of worship. In other incidents, videos showed visitors waving political flags near the shrine, while some men claiming to be vloggers crossed boundary ropes and ventured into restricted glacier areas to shoot content before police stopped them and let them off with a warning. Backlash from residents has been sharp, with many seeing the conduct as a breach of the re- ligious and environmental sensitivity of the pilgrimage. “The things happening this time are unprecedented. People are breaching the sanctity of such a pious place,” Ashish Gairo- la, a resident of Triyuginarayan, told TOI. Mayaram Goswami, 65, who runs a restaurant-cum-lodge at Gaurikund, said he had never seen such conduct during the yatra earlier. “More people are coming for social media likes and comments rather than to pay respects to Lord Kedarnath,” he added. Police said dealing with such conduct was consuming time and manpower meant for helping pilgrims, especially elderly visitors.About the AuthorKalyan DasSpecial Correspondent at The Times of India, Dehradun, covering global issues with special focus on South Asia, defence, crime, sports and human interest stories. Have profound love for knowing about food and cultures around the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBengal Phase 2 Polls: 142 Constituencies Vote Today, Over 3.21 Crore Voters to DecideChokepoints of Power: how India can ‘trump’ China on the seasSwati Maliwal’s Explosive Exit: Assault Allegations, ‘Betrayal’ Charges Rock AAP As She Joins BJPIndian Aviation Sector Warns Of Possible Shutdown Amid Soaring Fuel CostsUNGA Chief Hails India’s Global Role, Calls India’s Leadership Central To MultilateralismIndia To Receive Fourth Unit Of S-400 Missile Systems From Russia, To Be Deployed In RajasthanISRO-s Big Shift- Civilians To Join Gaganyaan Missions – India-s Space Programme Expands”Online Radicalisation Led To…” Maharashtra CM On ISIS-Inspired AttackIndia’s Defence Spending Hits $92 Bn, Becomes World’s 5th Largest Amid Global Military SurgeIs Rafale deal with France stuck? Will India’s demand for access scuttle fighter deal?123PhotostoriesFrom tasting success and popularity after playing Samar to being ousted overnight from Anupamaa: Paras Kalnawat on his journeyKate Middleton dips into Princess Diana’s 1995 Germany look with sapphire earrings from the royal jewellery archivesAhead of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2,’ buzz around the threequel adds to fans’ anticipation – here’s what we knowWhy BTS K-pop star Jungkook’s basic bodyweight routine may be more effective than your gym plan5 longest train journeys in the world: Did you know India has one?5 simple brain exercises that can boost memory without apps or toolsDeepika Padukone’s maternity-style playbook starts with a denim-on-denim look, proving she doesn’t do boringStep inside cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ₹5.38 crore stylish Mumbai residence5 Bhagavad Gita parenting lessons every parent should teach their childIndoor plants that can keep your home cool during summer123Hot PicksAmit ShahMamata BanerjeeBengal Women VotersPM Rally GunfireAssembly Election 2026Bengal Oath CeremonyTrinamool CongressTop TrendingSaeed Sheikh AfridiTamil Nadu electionPM modiSalim DolaAssam HS 12th ResultManish SisodiaMumbai Watermelon Poisoning newsBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap
Less than a week after Kedarnath shrine opened for Char Dham yatra, police de- ployed for crowd management are grappling with a different set of challenges — visitors lighting crackers for birthday events in the temple zone, devotees waving political party flags in front of the shrine, and vloggers enter- ing risky glacier stretches for reels. Police have registered multiple FIRs, while officers said social media monitoring had been tightened. One recent case involved bursting of crack- ers near Kedarnath temple during a birthday celebration, after which cops registered an FIR against an unidentified person linked to Insta- gram handle ‘Sumit-Ke-Blog’. The case was registered under BNS Sec 353(3), dealing with public mischief within a place of worship. In other incidents, videos showed visitors waving political flags near the shrine, while some men claiming to be vloggers crossed boundary ropes and ventured into restricted glacier areas to shoot content before police stopped them and let them off with a warning. Backlash from residents has been sharp, with many seeing the conduct as a breach of the re- ligious and environmental sensitivity of the pilgrimage. “The things happening this time are unprecedented. People are breaching the sanctity of such a pious place,” Ashish Gairo- la, a resident of Triyuginarayan, told TOI. Mayaram Goswami, 65, who runs a restaurant-cum-lodge at Gaurikund, said he had never seen such conduct during the yatra earlier. “More people are coming for social media likes and comments rather than to pay respects to Lord Kedarnath,” he added. Police said dealing with such conduct was consuming time and manpower meant for helping pilgrims, especially elderly visitors.
