The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a high-level meeting at the state secretariat, directing officials to ensure the comfort and safety of all pilgrims attending the Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib Yatra. The CM also warned that legal action would be taken against those spreading misleading and inflammatory content on social media.

Context

At the secretariat meeting, CM Dhami extended a formal welcome to all pilgrims and tourists visiting Uttarakhand, describing the state as an irreplaceable heritage of faith, culture, and nature — 'aastha, sanskriti aur prakriti ki amulya dharohar' [an invaluable heritage of faith, culture and nature]. He urged visitors to enjoy their journey in Devbhoomi's peaceful atmosphere and to pay no heed to rumours of any kind.

The CM specifically addressed incidents that have come to light in Karnaprayag and Nagarasu, stating that necessary action is being taken at the level of the state government, administration, and police, with all sides taken into account. He confirmed that those found guilty in the investigation have already faced action, and that strict further action will follow based on all established facts.

Policy Backdrop

According to the CM's office, the Char Dham Yatra — covering Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — has recorded more than 40 lakh devotee visits so far this season. The Hemkund Sahib Yatra, in its early days itself, has seen pilgrim numbers exceed last year's corresponding figures by 25,000.

CM Dhami highlighted that Uttarakhand is home to three major Sikh pilgrimage sites established by Sikh Gurus: Hemkund Sahib, Reetha Sahib, and Nanakmatta Sahib, each drawing large numbers of devotees annually. He underscored that respecting all communities is an integral part of Devbhoomi's culture and tradition, invoking the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' [the guest is equivalent to God] as the guiding spirit of the state's hospitality.

Stakeholders and Impact

The meeting was attended by a broad cross-section of senior officials and religious body heads, including Badri-Kedar Temple Committee Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, Hemkund Sahib Management Trust Chairman Narendrajit Singh Bindra, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Additional Chief Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, Director General of Police Deepam Seth, and DG Intelligence and Security Abhinav Kumar, among others.

The CM's appeal to people spreading misleading content on social media carries direct implications for communal harmony during the peak pilgrimage season. He stated that all religions have contributed to the nation's progress together, and that dialogue, goodwill, and a harmonious environment are the only path to resolving problems. He made clear that no act that harms the dignity of any person or damages any religion or faith will be tolerated in Uttarakhand.

What's Next

The state government has signalled that investigations into the Karnaprayag and Nagarasu incidents will continue, with strict legal action promised against those found culpable. Authorities are also expected to maintain heightened vigilance on social-media misinformation through the remainder of the pilgrimage season.

With both the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib circuits running simultaneously and footfall already at record levels, the administration's ability to sustain law-and-order, communal harmony, and pilgrim services will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.