Diplomacy turns into Hypocrisy on Dev Bhumi Cultural Festival of Badrinath Dham Chamoli, Uttarakhand.
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Like every year, this year too, a two-day cultural festival was organized on September 19-20, as a gesture of goodwill. It was inaugurated by GoC, Northern India Area, Lt Gen DG Mishra, and concluded under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami.
This year, the festival's theme was "Our Heritage, Our Future." As per the letter dated September 9th from the District Magistrate's Office, Chamoli, a review meeting was called for the event, attended by all senior officers of the district. A copy was also sent to the Commanding Officer of GARHWAL SCOUT for information. As per another letter dated September 9th, an order was passed appointing the Chief Development Officer as the Nodal Officer (CDO) to ensure the successful conduct of the festival and to ensure all necessary arrangements. A copy of this was also sent to CO GARHWAL SCOUT. Preparations for the festival begin and stalls are set up.
Responsibilities for the successful conduct of this festival have been assigned as follows:
Chief Development Officer (CDO) - Nodal Officer for arrangements and requirements
CO GARHWAL SCOUT - Main Power Provider for working purposes and security arrangements, or, we might say, donkey labor (but in the name of religion and faith, something the Army couldn't refuse).
According to confidential sources and viral news on social media, relatives of an administrative officer were denied the opportunity to set up stalls, leading to some friction between the administration and the Army. Since the Chief Minister was scheduled to visit, the District Magistrate personally inspected key locations.
Another news has surfaced via social media that LT Gen Sen Gupta, Army Commander of the Central Command, is retiring on September 30th. For them, this festival is the last and most important event of their service, as it has often been observed that those who retire from the
@suryacommand are always in the news for their political connections, as they have been considered close to the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. For example, the current CDS
@HQ_IDS_India can be taken.
Controversial Story Beginning:-
Since traditional rules dictate that even the conch is not blown at the Badrinath Temple, as doing so could lead to a cataclysm. However, during this festival, high-pitched instruments were used, and even dance performances were performed by artists.
The local people asked the administration, "Who is responsible if a catastrophe strikes here?" The administration felt this was a good opportunity to accuse the army of doing all this without their permission, which would kill the snake and leave the stick untouched (meaning the public would get an answer that the administration had no involvement in this; the army did everything). Chamoli District Magistrate IAS Gaurav issued a letter to Garhwal Scout CO Col Shantanu on September 23rd, demanding an explanation.
Even a couple of tweets posted on the District Magistrate's official handle,
@ChamoliDm have been deleted.
@adgp
@suryacommand should understand this diplomacy and take appropriate action to address the growing tensions, punishing the guilty. Tampering with traditions could take a new and dangerous turn a situation everyone should avoid.