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Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
End glorification of invaders, honour national heroes: Yogi
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 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.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
In Bahraich, Adityanath slams 'glorification' of Salar Masood
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday opposed the glorification of Salar Masood , revered as a warrior-saint from 11th century, saying the punishment given to the "foreign invader" after being captured "guaranteed him a place in hell according to Islam". He was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of a statue of Maharaja Suheldev and the launching of 384 development projects worth Rs 1,243 crore in Bahraich . Maharaja Suheldev, an icon of the Rajbhar community, had defeated and killed Ghaznavid general Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masood in a battle on the banks of the Chittora Lake in Bahraich in 1033 AD. "I had said on the soil of Bahraich that glorification of foreign invaders should be stopped and that the national heroes must be honoured. And 1,000 years ago, such a tale of courage and bravery was written by Maharaja Suheldev on this very soil of Bahraich," he said. Adityanath said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's instruction that national heroes should be honoured. Live Events "History may have done injustice to him (Maharaja Suheldev), but this double-engine government will not allow it," he said. Referring to the battle in Chittora, Adityanath 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 (here), half of his army had already perished." "When he (Masood) reached Chittora, Maharaja Suheldev had 20,000 to 25,000 bravehearts while there were 1.5 lakh warriors with Salar Masood. "But, these 20,000 to 25,000 bravehearts killed them ruthlessly. Evil Salar Masood was caught alive and he was given such punishment that it guaranteed him a place in hell according to Islam ('Dusht Salar Masood yehaan zindaa pakra liya gayaa, aur ussko sazaa bhi aisee hui ki jo Islam ke anusaar jahannum mein jaane kee guarantee deta hai')." The remarks come in the backdrop of the controversy over the Bahraich district administration denying permission for the annual 'Jeth Mela', which was traditionally held at the dargah of Salar Masood from May 15 to June 15 and drew lakhs of pilgrims. In an official statement, the administration on May 3 cited the prevailing atmosphere of public anger following incidents like the Pahalgam attack and Sambhal violence and concerns surrounding the amended Waqf Act as the reasons. The Allahabad High Court had on May 17 declined to grant permission for organising the annual fair at the dargah. However, in its order, the court's Lucknow bench allowed rituals and other related routine activities at the dargah. "There should be no events in the name of foreign invaders... If the main event of Bahraich is organised, it will be in the name of Maharaja Suheldev ji, it will be in the name of Balark Rishi, it will be in the name of Adishakti Maa Pateshwari Devi," Adityanath said on Tuesday. Attacking the previous governments led by the Samajwadi Party and others, the chief minister questioned why Suheldev was "not honoured" after independence. "They were afraid to anger their Muslim vote bank and were worried that their appeasement politics would fail. That is why they did not speak a word against the foreign invaders," Adityanath said. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP's minority front chief Jamal Siddiqui offers chaddar at Salar Ghazi's dargah, calls him 'saint' amid ban on fair
BAHRAICH: Amid a ban by the district administration on the fair held at the tomb of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi in Bahraich, the national president of BJP Minority Front, Jamal Siddiqui, offered a 'chaddar' at the dargah on the occasion of Urs and said he considers Ghazi a "saint". On May 3, the Bahraich district administration denied permission for the annual 'Jeth Mela' traditionally held at the dargah. In an official statement, the administration cited the prevailing atmosphere of public anger following incidents like the Pahalgam attack and Sambhal violence and concerns surrounding the amended Waqf Act as the reasons. The Jeth Mela, originally scheduled to take place from May 15 to June 15, was expected to draw lakhs of pilgrims from India and abroad. Replying to queries, Siddiqui told reporters that there can be a ban on the fair, but there is no ban on Urs. "People are coming for pilgrimage. Syed Sahab's status is very high. Lakhs of people come here to pay obeisance and have benefited from him. I have also come here to pray with my father," he said.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SBSP chief pitches for grand fairs inSuheldev's name
Lucknow: Four days after the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court denied permission to the Dargah Sharif Management Committee in Bahraich to organise the annual Jeth Mela at Syed Salar Masud Ghazi dargah, the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Tuesday pitched for organising a grand fair in the name of Maharaja Suheldev . Salar Masud, a semi-legendary figure who is believed to be the general and nephew of Turkish invader Mahmud Ghaznavi and is believed to have accompanied him on his plundering trips to India, including the attack on Somnath temple. Masud's rampaging moves are said to have been stopped by Maharaja Suheldev of Shravasti, another legendary figure, in what is now famous as the Battle of Bahraich in 1034 AD. They both find mention in Persian hagiography Mirat-i-Masudi, written in 17th century. The Jeth Mela, a centuries-old fair traditionally held between May 15 and June 15 at the dargah Salar Masud in Bahraich, was cancelled earlier this year. The district administration cited concerns over law and order, referencing recent incidents such as the Pahalgam terrorist attack and communal tensions in Sambhal. Other fairs in Masud's name, Sambhal's Neja Mela and Urs of Bale Miyan (as he is known in Gorakhpur) were also cancelled. This was followed by CM Yogi Adityanath 's assertion that glorification of invaders amounted to treason which an "independent India will not tolerate". Rajbhar, who made the demand during his meeting with CM Yogi Adityanath, pressed for organising a fair in Bahraich and a few other places. SBSP chief national general secretary Arvind Rajbhar, who was also present at the meeting, claimed that the CM agreed to the demand. He said that both the CM and Rajbhar were critical of the opposition parties who have been covertly backing such events linked to Muslim invaders. Rajbhar happens to be a cabinet minister for panchayati raj and minority welfare. Not far from the dargah, a grand memorial in the name of king Suheldev has already come up. Suheldev is often referred to as the presiding deity of the Rajbhar community, who are present in a large number in several eastern UP districts with the BJP projecting him as a Hindutva demigod. On February 16, 2021, the foundation stone of the Suheldev memorial in Bahraich was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing. The project includes the installation of an equestrian statue of Maharaja Suheldev at a site along the banks of Chittaura Lake in the district. The state govt is also planning to set up a museum based on the life of Suheldev.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
900-year-old traditiondisrupted: No Bale Miyanfair in Gorakhpur this yr
Gorakhpur: For the first time in what is believed to be a 900-year-old tradition , the iconic Bale Miyan fair in Gorakhpur will not take place this year. The month-long event held in memory of Syed Salar Masud Ghazi—locally called Bale Miyan—was scheduled to begin on May 18. However, the district administration has not granted the necessary security clearance, effectively stalling the fair, claimed the dargah mutawalli (custodian). Notably, the district administration has, however, declared May 19 a local holiday for the urs of Bale Miyan. Earlier this month, the Bahraich district administration had denied nod for the annual Jeth Mela held at the shrine of Syed Salar Masud Ghazi in Bahraich too, citing an LIU report flagging law and order concerns. Before this the state government had denied permission for holding the Sambhal's Neja Mela, also in the name of Salar Masud. This was followed by CM Yogi Adityanath's assertion that glorification of invaders amounted to treason which an "independent India will not tolerate".
