Is a conch made of bone? As Badrinath row simmers, this question has turned political

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj's claim that a conch is not played at the Badrinath temple because it is constructed of bone has ignited a fresh political debate. This followed criticism of a cultural festival held at the shrine, which featured music and dance performances that violated temple regulations. As the controversy simmered, Maharaj, who oversees both culture and tourism, defended his statement, labeling allegations to the contrary as "baseless."

He clarified that while conches are not played inside the temple, there are no restrictions on their use outside.

Maharaj's explanation that the conch was unworthy of being played inside due to its "bone-like" composition sparked backlash. The Uttarakhand Congress, in particular, took offense, with Suryakant Dhasmana, the party's vice-president, criticizing Maharaj for a misunderstanding of both scientific facts and ancient Hindu traditions.

Dhasmana clarified that a conch is not a bone but rather the outer shell of a marine mollusk, primarily composed of calcium carbonate. He questioned the rationality of Maharaj's explanation, citing the long-standing practice of using conches in Hindu rituals.

The most recent controversy arose after the Devbhoomi Cultural Festival 2026, held at Badrinath on September 19 and 20. This event, organized by the Army under Operation Sadbhavana in partnership with the Chamoli district administration and the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, aimed to promote the region's folk culture, local products, handicrafts, traditional food, and border village customs.

The two-day festival drew criticism for performances that included music and dances, leading to calls for a ban on such events at the temple.

Former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi was among those who criticized the festival, alleging that the permission granted for a "music concert" or "DJ event" was inconsistent with Badrinath's religious and cultural norms. He implored the central and state governments to prohibit such programs. The Chamoli district administration subsequently distanced itself from the event, stating that its involvement was minimal, primarily limited to managing stalls and arrangements, while the Army was responsible for organizing the cultural program.

The administration noted that the performances were selected by the Army and designed to reflect the cultural heritage of border villages, including Bamni and Mana.

The Chamoli administration also advised the public not to base their judgments solely on social media posts without verifying the facts. The Congress party demanded that Maharaj issue an apology and that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami clarify whether the state government supported Maharaj's assertion that a conch is made of bone.