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The Wire
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
UP Government Cites ‘Law and Order', Blocks Urs Events in Ayodhya, Barabanki
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government UP Government Cites 'Law and Order', Blocks Urs Events in Ayodhya, Barabanki The Wire Staff 10 minutes ago The event in Ayodhya was refused permission after a VHP complaint that alleged that it was being organised under the name of Ghazi Baba, referring to Saiyad Salar Masud Ghazi, a semi-legendary military figure from the 11th century popularly believed to be a nephew of Ghaznavid ruler Mahmud of Ghazni. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Photo: PTI. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: Two annual Urs ceremonies to be organised in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya and Barabanki have been refused permission with authorities citing law and order concerns. The Urs to be organised at the shrine of Dada Miya in Khanpur Masodha area of Ayodhya was refused permission after a complaint filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Times of India has reported. The report said that the event in Barabanki, on the other hand, relating to the Urs of Syed Shakeel Baba to be held in the Phoolpur area, was denied permission due to concerns of potential unrest. In Ayodhya, the VHP complainant alleged that the gathering was being organised in the name of 'Ghazi Baba' – a reference to Syed Salar Masood – a semi-legendary military figure from the 11th century popularly believed to be a nephew of Ghaznavid ruler Mahmud of Ghazni. Ayodhya circle officer Ashutosh Tiwari said that the permission which was granted under the name of 'Urs Dada Miya' was revoked after it was found that the event was being organised under the name of Ghazi baba. Earlier in March, police in Sambhal had outlawed an age-old fair – the Neja Mela – held by the Muslim community to commemorate Saiyad Salar Masud Ghazi. Police had then said while denying permission an event to honour an 'invader,' 'plunderer' and 'murderer' would not be allowed to be held even if it had been traditionally organised year after year. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after forming the government in Uttar Pradesh and the centre has honoured Suheldev, Ghazi's alleged slayer, with a new memorial, a superfast train running from Ghazipur to Delhi, a new university and a stamp, among other things to reach out to the backward caste Hindus. For the Urs event in Barabanki, additional SP Vikas Tripathi said that 'some disputes have emerged that may lead to communal tension' which has led the administration to refuse permission. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Uttar Pradesh Govt Tightens Rules for 'Out of Town' Marriage Registrations Fifth Acting DGP in a Row: Why Uttar Pradesh Still Lacks a Permanent Police Chief Priests Oppose UP Govt's Plan to Set up Trust For Management of Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple Interview | 'National Leadership Will Decide on Alliance But UP Congress Is Focusing on All 403 Seats' Days After Cow Vigilante Rampage in Aligarh, Forensic Report Belies Beef Allegations Former IAS Officer Claims Andhra Unduly Favoured Varun Group in Tourism Push; Govt Denies Wrongdoing Mau Bypoll: NDA-Ally SBSP Stakes Claim Even as BJP Signals Interest Eroding Scientific Rationality Is Undermining Knowledge Production in India Senior Journalist in Andhra Pradesh Arrested Over Talk Show Panelist's Remarks; Triggers Political Uproar View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
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".
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
900-year-old tradition disrupted: No Bale Miyan fair in Gorakhpur this year
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". The Bale Miyan fair is usually held on the banks of the Rapti river in Bahrampur, where a sprawling ground hosts the festivities. Despite the announcement made by dargah mutawalli Mohammad Islam Hashmi earlier this month, no visible preparations have taken place at the venue. While the committee had formally written seeking security arrangements, officials have not taken any decision so far. Adding to the uncertainty, large amounts of construction material have been stockpiled at the fairground due to the ongoing widening work of the Herbert Dam. "In previous years, the local administration always began preparations for the fair. This year, things were different though. Since we didn't hear anything from the district administration, we submitted a letter to the divisional commissioner seeking security arrangements at the fair. We didn't hear back from them though," the mutawalli said. TOI has a copy of the letter submitted to the divisional commissioner on March 18. According to Hashmi, the fair was supposed to run until June 16. However, as of Saturday evening, the usual hustle and bustle was missing, indicating that only a few devotees might arrive for prayers—without the festive environment the fair typically brings. On the contrary, ADM (city) Anjani Kumar said, "I have not received any request letter so far for the Bale Miyan fair. They only informed us that they will do some rituals, distribute prasad and also offer chadar on the shrine inside the premises. They also informed us that they will set up 15 shops inside their campus, which requires no approval as it is inside their premises." Salar Masood, a semi-legendary figure, is believed to be the nephew of Mahmud of Ghazni and served as his military commander. The main source of information about him is contained in Mirat-i-Masudi, a Persian-language hagiography written by Abdur Rahman Chishti during the reign of Jahangir. According to Mirat-i-Masudi, Ghazi was killed in a battle with Maharaja Suheldev of Shravasti at Bahraich in 1034 CE. Where he is believed to have been buried is now the Dargah Sharif in Bahraich. Though Ghazi doesn't find mention in any contemporary 11th century Ghaznavid chronicles, he had become a well-known figure in Delhi Sultanate by the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to his tomb in Bahraich appears to have started.
The Print
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
After Sambhal & Bahraich, Barabanki admin too disallows mela with Mahmud Ghaznavi connection
On 27 March, some local BJP leaders and social activists in Bahraich submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), demanding a ban on the annual fair. A police officer said Tuesday evening that permission was denied for the Barabanki fair, scheduled to be organised between 14 and 18 May at the dargah of Salar Sahu in Satrikh area, as the administration feared it could cause communal tensions in the region, especially in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Lucknow: Apprehending a law and order situation, the Barabanki administration has denied permission for an annual fair to commemorate Saiyyed Salar Sahu, who was a commander of Mahmud Ghaznavi, days after cancelling melas in Sambhal and Bahraich held in respect of Salar Sahu's son Saiyad Salar Masud. The memorandum claimed Satrikh mazar, where the fair is organised, belongs to Salar Sahu, who was a commander of Mahmud Ghaznavi, and attacked the Somnath Temple and forcibly converted a large number of Hindus. The petitioners contended that projecting Salar Sahu as a Sufi figure and organising a fair in his name was 'misleading and an affront to the country's self-respect'. After submitting the memorandum, BJP Kisan Morcha district president Ashutosh Awasthi claimed the Satrikh fair takes place on a land that is a sacred site for Hindus. 'Even today, a 'chakra' (religious disc) is present there. However, people are being misled by building the tomb of Salar Sahu at the site. We demand the fair be stopped. No fair commemorating foreign invaders will be allowed here. We will not retain any symbol that is a symbol of slavery,' he told the media. A Uttar Pradesh police official said they apprehended that allowing the fair to go ahead amid such protests would have created communal tension in the area. 'We received some complaints regarding a land dispute at the venue where the mela was about to be organised and we also kept in mind the situation in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. So we denied the permission. The mela committee has also accepted the decision and released a video statement related to it,' said Akhilesh Narayan Singh, Additional SP, Barabanki (South). Kaleemuddin Usmani, a fair organising committee member, released a statement supporting the cancellation of the mela. 'After the Pahalgam incident, the situation is deteriorating. So, the committee requests everyone to stay home and pray. We are fine with the administration's decision.' This traditional fair is held at the dargah of Salar Sahu Ghazi in the Satrikh area of Barabanki district for more than 100 years. The Sambhal row The controversy started from the Sambhal district in the third week of March after the local administration denied permission for 'Neja Mela' which is organised to commemorate Saiyyed Salar Masud Ghazi, son of Salar Sahu. 'It (Neja Mela) was a wrong tradition. It is not right to continue wrong traditions. They (the organisers) have been informed that it is not right to continue with wrong traditions. That is why permission was not given,' Sambhal Additional Superintendent of Police Shrish Chandra had told the media. He also said people objected to raising a flag at the venue in the name of the military commander of Mahmud Ghaznavi who invaded the country with the aim of looting. 'That is why permission was not given. There is complete peace in the area and a flag march was also conducted on March 18,' he added. After Sambhal, the Bahraich administration also denied permission on May 3 to organise a similar mela. The fair was proposed to be organised between May 15 to June 15. Uttar Pradesh Congress General Secretary (Organisation) Anil Yadav questioned the administration's decision. 'Many Hindus, particularly from the backward sections, also participate in such melas in Bahraich and Barabanki. There are many traditions and rituals related to these fairs,' he said. 'At mazars also, people from both Hindu and Muslim communities go. So, why is the BJP making it a communal issue? These fairs were known for promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, but now the BJP government is giving them communal colour. They should focus on development issues rather than communalising these things,' he added. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Reads: From 'offensive songs' to lathi-charge & killing, how communal violence flared up in UP's Bahraich
The Print
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Annual Jeth Mela in Bahraich denied permission over law and order concerns
The Jeth Mela, originally scheduled to take place at Dargah Sharif in Bahraich from May 15 to June 15, was expected to draw around lakhs of pilgrims from India and abroad. According to an official statement, the administration has cited the prevailing atmosphere of protest and public anger following incidents like the Pahalgam attack, Sambhal violence and concerns surrounding the amended Waqf Act as the reason behind its decision. Bahraich (UP), May 3 (PTI) The Bahraich district administration has denied permission for the annual 'Jeth Mela' traditionally held at Syed Salar Masood Ghazi Dargah here. Circle Officer Pahup Kumar Singh said, 'The decision to deny permission for the mela was taken to maintain peace and security, given the current circumstances.' City Magistrate Shalini Prabhakar added that reports were sought from various officials. 'All of them indicated that due to law and order concerns, it was not appropriate to recommend or permit the fair now. The mela manager has been informed of this decision,' said Prabhakar. The mela held in the name of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi has been opposed by Hindu organisations for some time. For several years, these organisations have regarded Maharaja Suheldev as their icon, while viewing his adversary Ghazi as an invader. These organisations refer the fair ground as Surya Kund. During a visit to Bahraich on March 20 this year, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had praised the bravery of Maharaja Suheldev and stated that 'glorifying the invader (Ghazi) means strengthening the foundation of treason. Independent India cannot accept any such traitor.' The Sambhal administration had also recently denied permission for the 'Neja Mela,' which was to be held in the name of Ghazi. On March 23, the fair management committee had abruptly postponed the auction of contracts for the Jeth Mela, raising doubts about the event's occurrence. However, the auction was later completed on March 27, leading to speculation that the fair would proceed. Nevertheless, Hindu organisations continued to demand that the fair be stopped. PTI COR CDN RUK RUK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
