At least 511 people, including 19 Bangladeshi nationals, have been arrested in Uttarakhand as part of ‘Operation Kalnemi’, a statewide enforcement drive launched to crack down on illegal activities conducted in the name of religion, officials said on Friday.

The operation, initiated by the state government in July 2025, aims to identify and act against individuals accused of deception, fraud and other unlawful practices while posing as religious figures or faith-based intermediaries.

According to an official statement, authorities have verified more than 4,800 people across three districts — Haridwar, Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar — since the campaign began. Of these, 511 were found to be involved in activities warranting arrest.

Officials said those detained included 19 Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly living in the state illegally. Ten of them have already been deported, while legal and administrative action is continuing against the remaining nine.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the drive was not directed against any specific community, but was focused on maintaining law and order and safeguarding the sanctity of ‘Devbhoomi’, a term commonly used to describe Uttarakhand.

He подчеркed that the state respects all faiths, but would not tolerate criminal activity, deception or exploitation carried out under the cover of religion. “Faith will be honoured, but crime and hypocrisy in its name will not be allowed under any circumstances,” the chief minister said.

The state government has indicated that Operation Kalnemi will continue in other districts as part of its broader effort to curb unlawful practices and ensure public trust in religious and social institutions.

With PTI inputs