Exclusive: Chamoli admin blames Army for Badrinath festival – but its own orders show it coordinated event
The Chamoli administration has accused the Indian Army of coordinating a cultural festival at Badrinath, despite documents showing the district administration was responsible for organizing it. The two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival took place on September 19 and 20 at the Tourist Arrival Plaza under the Army's Operation Sadbhavana.
The District Magistrate had ordered the event, designating the Chief Development Officer of Chamoli as the nodal officer. Emails revealed that the DM convened a meeting on September 10 with officials from multiple departments, including the Army. A subsequent letter from the DM to Colonel Shantanu, Commanding Officer of Garhwal Rifles, questioned the use of a high-volume sound system and requested clarification on festival permissions.
The DM emphasized that Badrinath is a sacred religious place, and the loudspeakers could disrupt regular worship. The festival faced criticism after videos of performances circulated on social media, with former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi among those objecting to the program.
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