BJP Veteran Murli Manohar Joshi Questions Permission For Music Concert at Badrinath Dham

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has criticised a music and dance programme held near the Badrinath shrine, questioning the decision to allow a loud music event at the religious site. The two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026 was held on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza in Badrinath under the Army's Operation Sadbhavana, in collaboration with the Chamoli district administration and Uttarakhand Tourism Department. Videos of amplified music and dance performances later circulated on social media, prompting objections from several quarters.

In a post on X, Joshi said allowing a music or DJ event at Badrinath was contrary to the cultural and religious traditions associated with the shrine. He referred to Badrinath's association with Adi Guru Shankaracharya and its tradition of peaceful worship, while also raising concerns about the environmental and health implications of large gatherings and dancing at high altitude. Joshi urged authorities to consider the religious significance of the site while permitting such programmes.

The festival was presented as an initiative to showcase Uttarakhand's folk culture, local products, handicrafts, traditional food and traditions of villages in the border areas. Uttarakhand folk singer Priyanka Meher performed during the event, while the programme also featured music and dance. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the concluding day of the festival on September 20. The event was organised under the Army's civic outreach programme, with coordination involving local authorities.

Also Read: Yogi Sets 70% Sanction, 60% Spend Target For UP Departments In Two Months

The controversy has also led to questions over the respective roles of the Army and the district administration. The Chamoli administration said its involvement was largely limited to facilitating stalls and other arrangements and that the cultural programme itself was organised by the Army. The administration said the Army selected the performances and their format, while officials had advised that the programme should take into account Badrinath's religious, spiritual and cultural significance.

Joshi's comments come after he also spoke publicly in July about police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar over examination-related concerns. In a statement on July 23, he said the students' concerns were genuine and criticised the use of force against protesters, particularly women and girls. He said the demonstrations should not be treated solely as a law-and-order issue and called for their concerns to be addressed with empathy and long-term solutions.

The Badrinath controversy has involved criticism from priests, religious figures and others over the use of amplified music and dance near the shrine. At the same time, the administration has said the public should not draw conclusions solely from social media material without verifying the circumstances surrounding the event. The dispute now centres on how cultural programmes can be conducted near major religious sites while taking into account their established traditions and local sensitivities.

Also Read: Monsoon 2026 Ends "Normal" on Paper But Leaves Meghalaya, Punjab and Kerala Parched