# PM Modi plays khanjari at Gen-Z bhajan clubbing event in Delhi

2026-09-25T20:07:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined a Bhajan Clubbing programme in Delhi on Friday, playing a khanjari percussion instrument alongside young participants. The event was held at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park to mark the 110th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Bhajan Clubbing combines traditional devotional songs with modern concert-style production, including amplified music, stage lighting and electronic elements. The format has gained popularity among Gen-Z audiences and was praised by Modi in his Mann Ki Baat radio programme in January 2026 as a blend of spirituality and modernity. Videos and photographs of the prime minister playing the instrument have circulated on social media. The event has also drawn debate, with supporters seeing it as engaging youth in devotional music while some critics question the commercialisation of religious practices.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Coverage is uniform across all three sources, focusing on the visual moment of Modi playing percussion and explaining the Bhajan Clubbing trend. English Mathrubhumi and Livemint both note earlier Mann Ki Baat mention and the debate around commercialisation of religious music, while India TV reports the event without critical framing. The balanced reading is straightforward: a ceremonial appearance with cultural novelty. The debate over tradition versus commercialisation of devotion remains a live question as the format expands to more cities.

## Coverage

- english.mathrubhumi.com (neutral report) <https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/pm-modi-joins-bhajan-clubbing-event-new-delhi-xuay3q9k>
  Leads with the visual moment of Modi playing khanjari, explains the event and trend without evaluative language.
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/what-is-bhajan-clubbing-pm-modi-attends-delhi-event-marking-deendayal-upadhyaya-s-birth-anniversary-11790355872549.html>
  Provides detailed explanation of bhajan clubbing format and notes both supporter and critic views, maintaining straight news tone.
- indiatvnews.com (neutral report) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/pm-modi-goes-bhajan-clubbing-with-genz-on-deen-dayal-upadhyaya-s-birth-anniversary-2026-09-25-1055315>
  Brief wire-style report of Modi's attendance, no elaboration on context or debate.

Tags: BJP, Deendayal Upadhyaya, Delhi, Mann Ki Baat, Narendra Modi
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-plays-khanjari-at-gen-z-bhajan-clubbing-event-in-delhi/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-plays-khanjari-at-gen-z-bhajan-clubbing-event-in-delhi/#story-in-brief