A row has erupted after visitors to the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest 2026 in Uttarakhand have reported that Indian participants were denied admission while white foreign guests were given precedence. The event has attracted both local and outside tourists to the sacred site because of its reputation for spiritual sessions and devotional singing. It is being held at Anand Dham Ashram, amongst the oldest ones in the city.
An Indian man is seen approaching event officials at the door in widely shared social media footage, asking why Indian devotees were barred from entering while outsiders were permitted. He asked why locals were not allowed in the name of “full” venue and foreigners were allowed inside.
The people were not satisfied with the staff member’s response, which alleged that the festival’s evening sessions were designed to introduce Indian cultural practices to those who have limited ties with them.
The vlogger inquired, “Is it fair that you are organising this in India and you’re not allowing Indians to go inside?” to which a representative answered, “No, it’s fair. Actually, our festival is for everyone. But we prioritise the evenings for foreign visitors because this festival was organised to explain (spread awareness about) Indian culture to those who have no connection with it.”
The organisers even declared that they reserve the right to allow entry into the premises. This has prompted visitors to protest the discrimination, as several videos of the interaction with the Rishikesh kirtan fest organisers are now viral on social media. When someone asked the organisers why they had been blocking Indians, they remarked that the evenings were just for foreign pilgrims while the morning visiting hours were intended for Indians.
Another vlogger asserted that she went to the event twice but was turned away. They apparently informed her that the venue was full the first time. She was denied entry the second time, but her Russian companion was welcomed. When questioned, the representative of the Ashram referred to a board outside which read, “We have a right to decline entry when needed.”
She expressed, “How do you think I should react? Being rejected from entering a kirtan by white men?” Additionally, she posted a video showing other Indian tourists being rejected and even mocked, “This is not the Delhi metro,” which infuriated them.
The vlogger even mentioned that they placed a board reading, “Indians are allowed on a reservation basis,” while claiming the gathering to be “open to all.” The representative later even messaged her to thank her for the online promotion and told her to shout for another hour in front of the gate.
