End glorification of invaders, honour national heroes: Yogi

Time of India

10-06-2025

Lucknow: Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath
on Tuesday opposed the glorification of Syed Salar Masud and commended the officials who prevented events in the honour of invaders, saying that no event celebrating foreign aggressors should be allowed in the state.
Inaugurating a 40-foot-high statue of Maharaja Suheldev, an icon of the Rajbhar community who had defeated and killed Salar Masud in a battle on the banks of Chittora Lake in Bahraich in 1033 AD, the CM said that the punishment given to the "foreign invader after being captured guaranteed him a place in hell according to Islam".
The remarks came in the backdrop of the denial of permission to annual Jeth Mela in Bahraich and a 900-year-old fair in the name of Bale Mian or Masud in Gorakhpur by the respective district administration.
"Freedom from the mentality of slavery means a complete ban on events held in the name of Salar Masud. No event celebrating foreign aggressors should be held," he said.
"The Congress, Samajwadi Party, and other opposition parties did not celebrate the contribution of icons like Maharaja Suheldev. Why were no grand memorials, universities, or medical colleges named after such figures in the past? These parties indulge in divisive politics and do not acknowledge the evils of foreign invaders for fear of losing their Muslim votebank," the CM said.
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Referring to the battle in Chittora, Yogi said, "To stop the barbaric foreign invader who moved from Ghazni along with his 3-lakh-strong army to loot India, Maharaja Suheldev led the resistance from Mathura to Bahraich. By the time the invader reached (Bahraich), half of his army had already perished."
"When Masud reached Chittora, Maharaja Suheldev had 20,000-25,000 soldiers while Salar Masud had 1.5 lakh warriors.
But these 20,000-25,000 bravehearts emerged victorious. Evil Salar Masud was caught alive, and was given such a punishment that it guaranteed him a place in hell according to Islam," he said.
He proposed that a three-day 'Vijayotsav' should be celebrated from next year onwards to commemorate Maharaja Suheldev's victory over Syed Salar Masood in the Battle of Bahraich.
He also called for organisation of academic programmes on Suheldev, wider distribution of the Maharaja Suheldev Memorial Trust magazine, scholarships for students, and the construction of a good library.
"This will ensure that no one can erase the legacy of national heroes like Maharaja Suheldev from the pages of history," he said.
He said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instruction that national heroes should be honoured.
"History may have done injustice to him (Maharaja Suheldev) but this double-engine govt will not allow it," he said.
The CM also launched 384 development projects worth approximately Rs 1,243 crore which were related to connectivity, education, healthcare, tourism, infrastructure, bridges, health centres, Jal Jeevan Mission, and flood control.
"BJP has been remembering national leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel through the Statue of Unity, while SP has been venerating MA Jinnah. When we talked about celebrating Suheldev's valour, SP and Congress argued over holding events for Ghazi Miyan. We have made it clear that glorifying invaders must end, and national heroes must be honoured," Yogi said.
Elaborating on Suheldev's valour, the CM said that in his fight with Masud, he presented a strategic and valiant response but was never recognised for it.
"The BJP govt named Bahraich's medical college and the state university in Azamgarh after him. Our govt's main events in Bahraich will now be dedicated to Suheldev, Rishi Balark, and Maa Pateshwari," he said.
Yogi thanked party workers for ensuring the grand celebration in honour of Suheldev. "Your enthusiasm since shows that the fair must celebrate Maharaja Suheldev, not invaders like Salar Masud. Respecting heritage means honouring Suheldev.
Freedom from colonial mindset means ending events held in the name of Masud. Today, your discipline and unity reflect respect for law and the Constitution," he said.
He added that even those who fought beside Suheldev to protect India's lands and faith from foreign invaders and were also deprived of recognition and benefits would also be recognised.
BOX
Memorial for Maharaja Bijli Pasi to come up in Lucknow: CM
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Tuesday that a memorial for Dalit icon Maharaja Bijli Pasi will be built in Lucknow.
Speaking after the inauguration of a statue of Maharaja Suheldev, he said that the BJP govt will ensure that historical figures who protected India's culture and traditions but were ignored by parties ruling earlier, receive the respect they deserve.
"A grand memorial of Maharaja Bijli Pasi, who defeated foreign invaders, will be built in Lucknow," he said.
Maharaja Bijli Pasi is a legendary figure from the Pasi (Dalit) community who is believed to have ruled parts of Uttar Pradesh during the 12th century.
He also recalled four women warriors from the Uprising of 1857 who stood up against British forces and said that the medical college and university in Jhansi had been named after Rani Laxmibai.
"In Budaun, a women's PAC battalion has been formed in the name of Veerangana Avantibai Lodhi, and her equestrian statue will be installed there. In Lucknow, construction is underway for a women's PAC battalion named after Veerangana Uda Devi. A similar battalion is also being established in Gorakhpur in the name of Jhalkari Bai, along with a grand statue," he said.