Badrinath DJ concert is ‘direct assault on sanctity’ of shrine, says veteran BJP leader MM Joshi

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday criticised the organisation of music and DJ events at the Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand, saying such programmes violate cultural decorum and called it a “direct assault on the sanctity of the shrine”.

A two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival was held on September 19 and September 20 in Badrinath town in the state’s Chamoli district, The Indian Express reported.

The festival was organised under the Army’s Operation Sadbhavana in collaboration with the Chamoli district administration and the Uttarakhand Tourism Department. It aimed to showcase the state’s “folk culture, local products, handicrafts, traditional food and the traditions of villages along the border”, the newspaper reported.

However, a controversy was sparked by videos shared on social media showing a “bhajan jamming” session, where devotional music is presented in a concert-style setting.

There's a REASON why evn Shankh is forbidden in Badrinath Dham. That place has its own sanctity. And nw? DJs are blasting there. Club style music has a time & place. A sacred Teerth is NOT it. This govt's obsession to make every Dham a picnic spot is ruining the soul of Devbhumi. pic.twitter.com/IwTVViWfIn— Himalayan Hindu (@himalayanhindu) September 22, 2026

On Friday, Joshi said the shrine at Badrinath was established in the Himalayan environment for “peaceful devotion through divine hymns”.

“It is remarkable...

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