Joshimath Namaz Row: Hindus Allege Illegal Use of Govt Sports Building for Prayers.

Uttarakhand: Tensions Rise in Joshimath Over Alleged Use of Government Building for Namaz Under the ‘Indulgence of Congress’; Hindus Object | See Video.

Pradeep Joshi | HENB | Joshimath | Feb 20, 2026:: Tensions briefly escalated in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district after allegations surfaced that congregational namaz was being offered inside a government building in Joshimath without official authorization, prompting objections from local residents and Hindu organisations. Authorities later said the matter had been addressed following a memorandum submitted to the administration.

Allegations Over Use of Government Premises

The controversy centres around a municipal building in Joshimath that, according to local residents, had been allotted by the municipality to the Sports Department and was proposed to be developed into a table tennis facility. However, over the past several days, the premises were allegedly used for offering namaz, with locals claiming that the number of worshippers had been steadily increasing.

Videos purportedly showing congregational prayers inside the building circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the issue and triggering protests from sections of the local community.

Residents maintained that the property was earmarked strictly for sports-related activities and not for religious use. They claimed that the municipality had clearly conveyed that the building should not be used for namaz and argued that offering prayers on government land or in government buildings without permission was against the rules.

Objections and Memorandum by Hindu Groups

Local Hindu groups submitted a formal memorandum to the district administration, demanding that the building be used only for its designated purpose. They stated that they would continue to oppose any religious activity inside the government premises if it violated official norms.

Some representatives described Joshimath as the land of Badrinath Vishal and Jyotirmath Peeth — one of the principal seats of Sanatan Dharma — and referred to the region as “Dev Bhoomi.” They expressed apprehension that permitting namaz in a building under construction could pave the way for the establishment of a mosque in the future. Many of the Hindu organisations protested strongly, alleging an “Islamic capture” of the land and claiming that local political figures were encouraging such developments.

The municipal chairman and the local MLA, both reportedly affiliated with the Indian National Congress connected with such Islamic agenda, have not publicly responded to the specific allegations at the time of reporting.

Administration Responds

Reacting to the developments, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the matter had been resolved. He stated that appropriate action had been taken after receiving the memorandum from Hindu organisations and that the administration had intervened to prevent further escalation.

Officials did not publicly detail the exact nature of the action taken but indicated that steps were implemented to ensure that the premises would be used in accordance with its sanctioned purpose.

About Joshimath

Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath, is a historic Himalayan town in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. It holds deep religious significance in Hindu tradition as one of the four cardinal monasteries (mathas) established by Adi Shankaracharya. The town also serves as the winter seat of the deity from the Badrinath Temple, when the shrine remains closed due to heavy snowfall.

Located en route to destinations such as Auli, the Valley of Flowers, and Hemkund Sahib, Joshimath is both a pilgrimage centre and a tourism hub. In recent years, the town has also drawn national attention due to land subsidence concerns linked to environmental and developmental pressures. Joshimath has it more Dharmik singficance as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ than its tourist splendours.

Recently, Muslims are trying to capture the lands of Hindu-majority Uttarakhand, including Joshimath, by erecting many fake mazars (Islamic tombs) and illegal mosques under the sinister plan of both ‘Mazar Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’.

Broader Context

The episode highlights the sensitivity surrounding the use of public spaces for religious activities, especially in towns with strong religious identities. While India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the use of government property for religious gatherings typically requires prior administrative permission.

Authorities have urged residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading unverified content on social media, underscoring the importance of dialogue and legal channels in resolving disputes over public property use.

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_Inputs from India TV.