Sunny Leone Performance Halted to Protect Mathura Sanctity

New Delhi, December 31, 2025: A planned New Year’s Day performance by Bollywood actress Sunny Leone in the holy city of Mathura has been cancelled following intense backlash from local religious leaders and organizations. The event, which was set to take place on January 1, 2026, sparked a significant controversy regarding the cultural and spiritual sanctity of the Braj region.

The Canceled Event Details

The actress was scheduled to perform a DJ set at a private event hosted at a prominent local hotel and restaurant. According to the organizers, the show was intended for a boutique audience of approximately 300 guests.

Despite the venue owners insisting that all legal and administrative protocols were being followed, the announcement of the event triggered immediate resistance. Promotional videos featuring Leone expressing her excitement for the “unforgettable night” in Mathura further fueled the agitation among local groups.

Reasons for the Protest

Religious leaders and seers in Mathura, a city revered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, voiced strong objections to the event. The primary concerns raised included:

• Sanctity of the Land: Prominent religious figures, including Dinesh Falahari Dharmacharya (a key petitioner in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi case), argued that Mathura is a “divine land” and a place of penance. They asserted that such “glamorous” events are inconsistent with the spiritual ethos of the Braj region.
• Cultural Preservation: Protesters claimed the event would promote “obscenity” and “vulgarity,” arguing that the city where Lord Krishna performed the Maharaas should not host contemporary DJ performances by figures they deemed “inappropriate” for a religious setting.
• Formal Petitions: The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas and other Hindu organizations submitted formal letters to the District Magistrate, demanding an immediate ban on the performance to prevent “hurting religious sentiments.”

Organizer and Public Reaction

In light of the mounting pressure and potential for social unrest, the event organizers and hotel management decided to call off the show. Mitul Pathak, the hotel owner, clarified that Leone was invited strictly as a professional artist and DJ. However, he stated that the decision to cancel was made out of respect for the “sentiments of the saint community and the cultural traditions of Braj.”

“We decided to cancel the program in view of social and religious sentiments, ensuring the peace and sanctity of the holy city remains intact,” the organizers stated in a public address.

Local Hindu group leaders have since thanked the Uttar Pradesh government and the district administration for their intervention, viewing the cancellation as a victory for the preservation of local heritage.

Future Outlook

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between modern entertainment and traditional values in India’s major pilgrimage centers. While some social media users viewed the cancellation as a restriction on professional freedom, the majority of the local community in Mathura supported the move, reinforcing the city’s identity as a strictly spiritual hub.