10 hrs ago
Chamoli Orders Contradict Army Blame Over Badrinath Cultural Festival
A cultural festival was held at Badrinath for two days.
The Indian Army organized it under a community programme called Operation Sadbhavana.
Chamoli officials were also involved in planning the event, according to their own written orders.
One order named a senior district officer as the person responsible for coordination.
Later, the district administration asked the Army whether it had permission for the programme.
It also questioned the use of loud sound at the religious site.
The questions came after videos of music and dancing were shared online.
Army sources said everyone involved knew about the event.
The Army also said it had not yet received the district’s letter through its official communication channel.
The Devbhoomi Cultural Festival was held at Badrinath on September 19 and 20 under the Army’s Operation Sadbhavana.
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar’s September 8 order appointed the Chief Development Officer as the event’s nodal officer.
District communications also called a coordination meeting and listed officials from several government departments.
The administration later asked the Army to explain whether it had permission and why high-volume sound was used at the shrine.
Army sources said the programme was held with all stakeholders’ knowledge, but said they had not received the DM’s letter through official channels.
- Who
- The Chamoli district administration, the Indian Army, Uttarakhand Tourism and performers were involved; District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar later sought an explanation from the Army.
- What
- A two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival was held, followed by a dispute over responsibility, permissions and sound levels.
- Where
- The event was held at the Tourist Arrival Plaza in Badrinath.
- When
- The festival took place on September 19 and 20, 2026; the district issued coordination orders on September 8 and 9.
- Why
- It was organized under the Army’s Operation Sadbhavana, but later drew criticism over music, dancing and high-volume sound at the shrine.
Chamoli Administration’s Position
Army Sources’ Position
Responsibility for organizing the event
Chamoli Administration’s Position
The administration’s later letter presented the programme as one organized by the Army, while its own orders show district officials were assigned coordination responsibilities.
Army Sources’ Position
Army sources said the programme was held with the knowledge of all stakeholders and in collaboration with the district administration and Uttarakhand Tourism.
Permission and official communication
Chamoli Administration’s Position
The District Magistrate asked whether permission had been obtained and from which authority, and requested that similar incidents not recur.
Army Sources’ Position
Army sources said they had not received the District Magistrate’s communication through the official Army channel.
Music and sound at the shrine
Chamoli Administration’s Position
The administration said high-volume sound was contrary to Badrinath’s religious sanctity and could affect worship and rituals.
Army Sources’ Position
The Army’s quoted position did not address the sound-level criticism, while the festival included music and dance performances.
Key facts
- Event
- Devbhoomi Cultural Festival
- Dates
- September 19 and 20, 2026
- Venue
- Tourist Arrival Plaza, Badrinath
- Army programme
- Operation Sadbhavana
- District coordinator
- The Chief Development Officer, Chamoli, was designated as nodal officer.
- Later administrative action
- The District Magistrate asked the Army to clarify its permission and use of high-volume sound.
- Army position
- Army sources said the programme was held with the knowledge of all stakeholders and that the official letter had not been received.
Quotes
An Army source
An unnamed source speaking on behalf of the Indian Army
“It is hereby ordered that the Devbhoomi Cultural Festival 2026, proposed to be organised on 19 and 20 September 2026 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza at Badrinath, be conducted successfully and that the necessary arrangements for the event be ensured”
indianexpress.com
“It has come to our notice through various communications/social media platforms that a Cultural Festival programme was organised by you at Shri Badrinath Dham”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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