Now Reading: PM Modi joins ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ on Deendayal Upadhyaya birth anniversary
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PM Modi joins ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ on Deendayal Upadhyaya birth anniversary
PM Modi joins ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ on Deendayal Upadhyaya birth anniversary
The Story in Brief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a 'Bhajan Clubbing' event at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Park in Delhi on Friday, 25 September, to mark the 110th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Videos from the event show Modi sitting in the front row, clapping, playing a tambourine or khanjari, and waving to the crowd. Slogans such as 'GenZ Love Modi' were displayed on stage, and the prime minister was seen raising his hands during a hymn dedicated to Lord Krishna, ABP Live reports.
Earlier in the day, Modi paid tributes to Upadhyaya on X, praising his philosophy of Antyodaya as the foundation of public welfare. The prime minister has previously praised the bhajan clubbing trend in his Mann ki Baat broadcast in January 2026 and during a visit to Australia, describing it as a blend of devotion, culture, spirituality and modernity that resonates with Gen Z. Times of India reports that Modi called the event 'Spectacular.'
The event has drawn political reactions. Congress leader Priyank Kharge posted on X, saying Modi has 'time for Bhajan Clubbing, but no time to answer serious questions about the clubbing of democracy through the Election Commission,' Times of India reports. Meanwhile, Siasat reports that Abhijeet Dipke of the Cockroach Janta Party took a swipe, sharing a video of the prime minister alongside a news article on the Delhi minor gangrape case with the caption 'Priorities.'
Update, 30 September 2026: Congress leader Priyank Kharge posted on X on 26 September criticising Modi for attending Bhajan Clubbing while serious questions on the Election Commission remain unanswered, Times of India reports. National Herald and Siasat report criticism from BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi and Abhijeet Dipke respectively. NDTV quotes Modi calling the event 'Spectacular.'
Indian Opinion Analysis
Coverage of Modi's Bhajan Clubbing appearance splits along political lines. Pro-government outlets such as Times of India, India Today and ABP Live frame the event as a cultural connection with Gen Z, emphasising his past praise for the trend and his musical participation. NDTV highlights his 'Spectacular' remark. National Herald and Siasat, by contrast, pair the report with criticism: National Herald juxtaposes Murli Manohar Joshi's objection to concert-style events at Badrinath, while Siasat leads with Dipke's swipe. Times of India's second article foregrounds Congress's attack via Priyank Kharge. The neutral outlets, Hindustan Times, Livemint, Mathrubhumi, report the event without editorialising. The uniform wire copy from Hindustan Times and Livemint provides the basic facts, the political stances differ mainly in what they choose to lead with. The Congress protest over the Election Commission is the next concrete development to watch.
Coverage: 12 sources, 2 pro-government, 3 government-critical, 7 neutral
Sources (12): hindustantimes.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), abplive.com (neutral report), indiatoday.in (neutral report), mathrubhumi.com (neutral report), livemint.com (neutral report), indiatvnews.com (neutral report), siasat.com (government critical), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2) (pro government), ndtv.com (pro government), nationalheraldindia.com (government critical), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (3) (government critical)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 12 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
