A widely circulated video of men dressed in Arabic at Haridwar Ghat attracts the attention of the police

The two men, who identified themselves as Habibullah and Habibi from Dubai, told the priests that they were social media influencers.

Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday launched an investigation after a video surfaced online showing two young men wearing traditional Khaleeji abayas casually strolling around Har Ki Buri Ghat in Haridwar. The viral clip shows them moving around the Ganges River in Arabic-style outfits.

The men were seen strolling around Malviya Ghat and the surrounding area of Har Ki Pauri, one of the most sacred places in the city. The video caused an uproar, amid demands to prevent non-Hindus from entering the Ganga Ghats in the Kumbh Mela area.

The priests at the ghat informed their organization, the Ganga Sabha, which informed the police. By the time the authorities arrived, the men had already left.

The two men, who identified themselves as Habibullah and Habibi from Dubai, told the priests that they were social media influencers and made videos on YouTube. In the video, Habibullah can be heard saying, “They can roam anywhere in India,” while roaming the ghat area.

Ganga Sabha member Ujjwal Pandit said a search operation was launched after the report, but the men were not found. He added that the video appeared to be a deliberate attempt to disturb the atmosphere in Har Ki Pauri.

The officials said that the police and the administration are investigating all aspects, including the background of the men and the reasons for their presence at the ghat in this uniform.

The matter is under investigation and further action will be taken based on the findings, Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Bramendra Singh Dubal said.

The incident comes amid recent demands from the Ganga Sabha and the priestly community to declare all the Ganga ghats in the Kumbh Mela area, including Har Ki Pauri, as non-Hindu no-go zones. The Uttarakhand government is reportedly seriously considering the proposal.

(With inputs from PTI)

First published:

January 13, 2026 at 11:42 PM IST

Viral news A widely circulated video of men dressed in Arabic at Haridwar Ghat attracts the attention of the police

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