Badrinath Festival Row Deepens as Chamoli Records Show Administration Coordinated Event

DEHRADUN: The controversy surrounding the Devbhoomi Cultural Festival at Badrinath has taken a fresh turn, with official records indicating that the Chamoli district administration was involved in preparations for the event even as it subsequently sought an explanation from the Indian Army over the programme.

The Army has so far not received any formal communication through its official channel in response to the district administration’s query, according to sources. The development leaves unresolved questions over how the two-day programme was planned and cleared before it became the subject of criticism.

The festival was organised on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza in Badrinath under the Army’s Operation Sadbhavana, in association with the district administration and Uttarakhand Tourism.

The event later came under scrutiny after videos of amplified music and dance performances circulated on social media.

What has added another layer to the controversy are documents issued by the Chamoli administration before the festival.

An order dated September 8 from District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar identified the Chief Development Officer (CDO), Chamoli, as the nodal officer and instructed the official to oversee arrangements for the proposed festival.

The following day, the district administration issued another communication referring to a letter from the Commanding Officer of the Garhwal Scouts at Joshimath.

It called for a meeting on September 10 under the CDO’s chairmanship to work out arrangements for the event.

Officials from several departments—including police, health, tourism, transport, supplies and sports—were listed for participation in the preparatory process.

The documents therefore indicate that planning for the festival involved more than one agency and was not confined to the Army alone.

The position of the district administration subsequently changed after criticism of the programme.

The District Magistrate wrote to Colonel Shantanu, Commanding Officer, Garhwal Rifles, seeking clarification on whether the Army had obtained permission to hold the programme at Badrinath and, if so, from which authority.

The communication also questioned the use of a high-volume sound system. It referred to Badrinath as a sacred religious site and said loud sound could interfere with worship and rituals at the shrine.

The Army officer named in the communication has not responded publicly to requests for comment, according to the report.

Army sources, however, have maintained that the programme was conducted with the knowledge of the stakeholders involved. One Army source said the organisation had yet to receive the district administration’s communication through the official channel.

The dispute surfaced after footage from the festival prompted criticism over the nature of the performances. Uttarakhand singer Priyanka Meher performed during the programme, including a music-and-dance segment that circulated widely online.

The event was also criticised by veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who objected to the use of such performances near the revered shrine.

The festival itself was presented by its organisers as an initiative celebrating Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, with folk performances, local handicrafts, food, community participation and tourism-related activities forming part of its stated objectives.

The festival’s official website describes it as an Indian Army initiative conducted in partnership with Uttarakhand Tourism.

The controversy has consequently shifted from the performances alone to questions of administrative responsibility, prior coordination and permissions.

The documents issued before the event, along with the subsequent demand for clarification from the Army, have brought the coordination between the civil administration and military authorities into focus.

For now, the matter remains unresolved. A formal response from the Army and further clarification from the district administration could determine how the permissions and responsibilities for the Badrinath event were handled.