Haridwar hotel cancel Christmas event after protest by Hindu groups

A Haridwar-based hotel on the banks of the Ganga river has canceled a series of pre-Christmas events following protests from Hindu groups.

Hotel Bhagirathi, a property owned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and operated by a private hotel chain, has canceled game shows, DJ night and other events planned ahead of Christmas, an official from the hotel confirmed.

He said the hotel advertised Christmas events on social media, which Hindu groups objected to.

Secretary Shri Ganga Sabha, Ujjwal Pandit, in a post on social media, warned that Christmas celebrations on the banks of the Ganges will not be tolerated and asked the organizers to cancel the celebration immediately.

Ganga Sabha is an organization that organizes Ganga aarti and other religious events at Har Ki Pauri, the most important ghat of Haridwar.

“Incidents related to foreign culture on the banks of the Ganges will not be tolerated,” Mr. Pandit said, threatening dire consequences if this incident occurred.