Chamoli administration clarifies role in Badrinath cultural festival row

UPDATE - follow-up to 'DJ event' at Badrinath sparks row, Murli Manohar Joshi questions cultural festival: The Chamoli district administration stated that its role in the recent Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026 was limited largely to facilitating stalls and other arrangements.

Administration Response

The administration said the cultural programme itself was organised by the Army, which selected the performances and decided their format. Officials noted that the programme included performances representing the folk culture, traditional practices and local customs of border villages such as Bamni and Mana. The administration also stated it had advised local Army authorities to conduct the programme keeping in mind Badrinath's religious faith, mythological significance and local traditions, and appealed to the public not to form opinions based only on social media posts.