BJP Faces Heat From Murli Manohar Joshi; Veteran Leader Slams Cultural Fest at Badrinath

Murli Manohar Joshi questions music event near Badrinath temple

New Delhi: Veteran BJP leader and former Union minister Murli Manohar Joshi has criticised a cultural event held near the Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand, raising objections to the use of amplified music and dance performances at the pilgrimage site.

The controversy centres on the Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026, a two-day event held on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza adjoining the Badrinath temple. The programme was organised under the Army's Operation Sadbhavana, in collaboration with the Chamoli district administration and the Uttarakhand Tourism Department.

Videos from the event showing music and dance performances subsequently circulated on social media, prompting criticism from religious figures, temple priests and others.

What did Murli Manohar Joshi say?

In a post on X, Joshi questioned why permission had been granted for what he described as a music concert or DJ event near Badrinath Dham.

He argued that the shrine has a distinct religious and cultural significance and said that loud music events were inconsistent with the site's traditional atmosphere. Joshi also referred to the practice of not blowing conch shells at Badrinath and raised concerns about the potential impact of large gatherings at high altitude.

Joshi has urged the Centre and Uttarakhand government to prevent similar events at major religious sites and to preserve what he described as the cultural and spiritual character of Devbhoomi.

What was the Badrinath cultural festival about?

According to reports, the festival was designed to showcase Uttarakhand's folk culture, local handicrafts, traditional food, local products and traditions of villages along the international border.

The programme featured performances by artists, including Uttarakhand singer Priyanka Meher. The Army organised the cultural programme as part of Operation Sadbhavana, while the district administration said its role was primarily related to facilitating stalls and arrangements.

The Chamoli administration said the Army selected the performances and determined their format. It also said it had advised the organisers to keep the programme in mind of Badrinath's religious, mythological and spiritual significance and local traditions.

Other BJP voices join the criticism

Joshi's objections have also received support from veteran BJP leader Tarun Vijay, who has worked extensively in the Himalayan region.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from religious representatives and Uttarakhand activist Anoop Nautiyal, who questioned the suitability of entertainment-oriented programmes around the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the concluding day of the festival on September 20, according to reports.

A wider debate over events at pilgrimage sites

The controversy has now prompted a broader discussion over how cultural programmes should be organised around important religious destinations. Supporters of such events have highlighted their role in promoting local culture and traditions, while critics have questioned the use of amplified music and concert-style performances near sacred sites.

For now, the Chamoli administration has maintained that the event was intended to showcase local traditions and said the public should verify information before drawing conclusions solely from social media videos.