Police File FIRs Against Misinformation and Vandalism During Kedarnath Yatra

Authorities in Uttarakhand have registered four first information reports (FIRs) related to misinformation, provocative social media content, and vandalism of government property during the ongoing Kedarnath yatra, one of India’s most revered pilgrimages.

The Char Dham Yatra, which includes visits to four sacred Hindu sites in the Garhwal Himalayas, began on Friday with the opening of the portals of Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath Dham coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya. According to officials, 63,252 pilgrims have already visited the Kedarnath shrine in the first two days of the yatra.

Concerns about misinformation have emerged as social media content creators allegedly spread false information about the pilgrimage. Kedarnath Sabha president Rajkumar Tiwari expressed worry that vloggers and YouTubers were disseminating misleading information about facilities at the shrine, potentially harming the pilgrimage’s reputation.

“Such misleading content not only creates unnecessary panic among devotees but also undermines years of efforts to improve infrastructure at this sacred site,” Tiwari told reporters.

Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Neeharika Tomar confirmed that law enforcement has taken action against individuals spreading deceptive content through social media reels and videos. “Our social media monitoring cell is conducting round-the-clock surveillance and has identified several posts circulating false and unverified information about arrangements and darshan at Kedarnath,” she explained.

The police have registered three FIRs specifically targeting those sharing misleading and provocative content related to the yatra. “Such content is misleading pilgrims and disrupting the pilgrimage,” Tomar added, noting that investigations are currently underway.

A separate FIR was filed regarding significant vandalism of government property throughout the shrine area. According to reports, unidentified individuals damaged public toilets installed across Kedarnath Dham, including facilities near the helipad and horse halt points.

“Five doors were vandalised at multiple locations, including the Kedarnath market area, behind the PWD office, near Punjab Sindh Bhawan, and at the base camp,” Tomar detailed. “Twelve water taps and around 60 cistern units were broken in different sectors of Kedarnath.” The FIR was registered following a complaint by Sulabh International supervisor Mintu Pathak.

The vandalism raises serious concerns about infrastructure maintenance during the yatra season, which typically sees hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visiting the remote Himalayan shrine over several months. The Kedarnath temple, situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters, is accessible only through a challenging trek or helicopter rides, making infrastructure maintenance particularly difficult and costly.

Meanwhile, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, SP Tomar, and other senior officials conducted a comprehensive inspection of facilities in the shrine area on Friday to ensure pilgrim safety and comfort. The officials reviewed arrangements across the temple premises, Aastha Path, and token counters, with particular attention to sanitation, drinking water, accommodation, toilets, food supply, security, and queue and crowd management systems.

During the visit, Mishra interacted with pilgrims to gather first-hand feedback about their experiences. He assured devotees that all essential arrangements have been implemented to minimize inconvenience during their spiritual journey.

The Char Dham Yatra represents a significant economic driver for Uttarakhand, with the annual pilgrimage drawing devotees from across India and abroad. In 2023, more than 4.2 million pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines, generating substantial revenue for the state and providing livelihoods for thousands of locals involved in hospitality, transportation, and retail services.

Authorities have emphasized that maintaining the sanctity and safety of the pilgrimage remains their top priority, especially following the 2013 flash floods that devastated the region and claimed thousands of lives. The current vigilance against misinformation and vandalism reflects broader efforts to ensure a smooth and secure experience for all devotees undertaking this spiritually significant journey.