ThePrint ThePrintAM: Why Uttarakhand hotels are turning away interfaith couples?
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Oct 20, 2025 Hotels in Uttarakhand are reportedly refusing rooms to interfaith couples due to pressure from vigilante groups. Managers cite fears of raids and backlash as reasons for this discrimination. Many couples face humiliation and higher tariffs when traveling together. Advocates point out that such practices violate legal protections, emphasizing that denying accommodation based on religion is illegal. Discussions reveal how this climate threatens tourism and personal freedoms, highlighting the urgent need for enforcement of rights.
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Couple Denied Room After ID Check
- A Muslim man and his Hindu friend were denied a hotel room in Dehradun after staff checked their IDs and said, "we can't allow this."
- The manager refunded them instantly and produced no written directive when asked, illustrating ad-hoc refusals.
Hotels Face Vigilante Pressure
- Hotel staff say Hindutva groups, especially Bajrang Dal, pressure them and sometimes raid hotels after being alerted by informers.
- Managers prefer instant refunds to avoid threats or raids, even without police directives.
Guests Forced Out Or Humiliated
- A 26-year-old software engineer and her Muslim partner were asked to leave a guest house for safety reasons after being warned previously.
- Two students from Jaipur were humiliated when a lodge manager demanded proof of marriage even though they were only friends.