The recently concluded State Shri Banshidhar Nagar Festival has been the subject of considerable controversy. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore has written to the Chief Secretary, recommending a comprehensive investigation, and BJP MP BD Ram has also voiced concerns regarding the event's organisation.
The state government is reportedly taking the allegations of lewd songs and dances at the State Shri Banshidhar Festival very seriously.
Local residents have voiced their dissatisfaction with the festival, which has been beset by disagreements since its inception in 2025. Residents claim that the administration organised the festival in an arbitrary manner, neglecting to consult or involve the local community. This discontent reportedly extends beyond the selection of performers, with many expressing a desire for renowned artists to be invited, a request they allege was ignored by the administration.
The Shri Banshidhar Nagar Mahotsav in Garhwa has been at the centre of a controversy, leading Jharkhand's Finance Minister, Radhakrishna Kishore, to formally address his concerns to the Chief Secretary in a letter.
In his correspondence, Kishore made serious allegations against the Garhwa district administration concerning the organisation of the Shri Banshidhar Nagar Mahotsav. He suggested that the responsibility for organising this state festival should be moved from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to either the Commissioner or a departmental secretary.
The Finance Minister's letter to the Chief Secretary claims that the state festival included lewd songs presented as cultural performances. It was also alleged that individuals, believed to be district administration officials, were seen dancing to these songs in front of the stage.
The state festival had a budget of ₹8 million, with ₹5 million already given to the Garhwa district administration as an advance. These funds were intended to support cultural programmes like classical music, poetry recitals, tribal folk dances, and flute performances. However, the letter contends that the inclusion of indecent songs through Bhojpuri music undermined the prestige and sanctity of the Shri Banshidhar Nagar Mahotsav.
Kishore has requested that the officials responsible for the alleged misconduct be identified and face appropriate consequences. Furthermore, he has stressed the importance of auditing the funds allocated for the festival.
The state festival was held on 19 and 20 March at Shri Banshidhar Nagar, Garhwa, a town famous for its historic statue of Lord Krishna. Shri Banshidhar Nagar has also been designated as part of the Shri Krishna Corridor project.
Palamu's Member of Parliament, BD Ram, has voiced his disapproval of the administration's handling of the Banshidhar Festival. He criticised the district administration for, in his view, transforming the Shri Banshidhar Festival into merely an administrative function, which he described as unfortunate.
The MP stated that he has consistently brought up the matter in Parliament of furthering the development of the Shri Banshidhar Temple and promoting it on an international scale. He added that during the festival's initial two iterations, significant efforts were made to personally invite people, generating considerable excitement. The community responded by enthusiastically decorating the city in distinctive styles for the festival. However, he observed that this year, such initiatives were noticeably lacking, a situation he regards as regrettable.
