Communalism

Sambhal Police Deny Permission for Muslim Fair ‘Neja Mela,’ Term It 'Anti-National'

The decision to prohibit the event aligns with the long-standing position of the RSS and its affiliates, who have portrayed Ghazi Mian, as he is popularly known, as a villainous figure.

Sambhal Police Deny Permission for Muslim Fair ‘Neja Mela,’ Term It 'Anti-National'

ASP Sambhal, Shirish Chandra, with Shahi Jama Masjid in the background. Images: X and screenshot from a video on X.

The annual Neja Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district has been cancelled after police denied permission, citing its association with a historical figure accused of participating in the plunder of the Somnath temple.
 
Authorities have linked the event to Masud Ghazi, the nephew of 11th-century invader Mahmud Ghazni, and deemed it a "wrong tradition."

A video of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shirish Chandra has circulated widely, in which he warns of action against organisers, calling the fair anti-national and inappropriate.

While speaking to the media, Chandra said, "This is an inappropriate tradition, and continuing it is not advisable. People have been informed that adhering to such practices does not contribute to progress."

The officer described Masud Ghazi as a “murderer and plunderer” who looted temples, including Somnath, and stated that no event could be held in his memory.

"Masud Ghazi was the nephew of Mahmud Ghaznavi, a commander who invaded the country with the intent to plunder and destroy. Honouring him is inappropriate, and therefore, permission has been denied," ASP Chandra added.

Police conducted flag marches in the area ahead of the scheduled fair, which was set to begin on March 25, and deployed additional forces to maintain order.

The decision to prohibit the event aligns with the long-standing position of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates, who have portrayed Ghazi Mian, as he is popularly known, as a villainous figure.

For years, right-wing groups have framed the historical conflict between Masud Ghazi and local chieftains as a battle between invaders and defenders, with backward caste Hindu leader Suheldev positioned as a national hero who resisted Masud’s advance.
Muslims in some parts of Uttar Pradesh venerate Ghazi Mian as a saint, and the Neja Mela, traditionally held after Holi, includes Islamic recitations in his honour. His mausoleum in Bahraich is visited by both Hindus and Muslims, but political groups have long used his legacy to stoke religious divisions.

The BJP has consistently projected Suheldev as a Hindutva warrior, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2021 questioning whether Suheldev’s “followers” could align with those of Salar Masud, in a bid to polarize voters ahead of the 2022 assembly elections.

The cancellation of the fair follows another controversy in the state, where a police officer recently advised those uncomfortable with Holi celebrations to stay indoors. Over the years, tensions have periodically flared in Sambhal, which has seen communal violence, including riots in 1978 and recent clashes over religious site surveys. In November 2023, four people reportedly died in police firing after protests erupted against a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Fair organisers, who claim the event has been held for nearly five decades, expressed disappointment over the decision.

According to committee members, the district administration had already renamed the event as ‘Sadbhavna Mela’ in 2023 following objections from right-wing groups. Shahid Masoodi, a member of the organising committee, asserted that the fair had taken place for at least 47 years at the same venue without incident.

Despite the ban, the official website of Bahraich district continues to describe Masud Ghazi’s dargah as a historical site of syncretic significance, visited by both Hindus and Muslims. It also acknowledges the annual Urs at the shrine as an important festival. The site describes him as a “famous 11th-century Islamic saint and soldier,” whose dargah was built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq and is believed to have healing properties.

However, ASP Chandra dismissed these historical interpretations, stating that police denied permission for the event due to concerns over law and order.

“Strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt harmony,” he said.

He reiterated that the fair hurt “the sentiments of the other side” and was linked to a figure with a history of violence and plunder.

"It is not right to honour a plunderer and killer. This decision has been taken with law-and-order considerations in mind," he declared.

The police even cemented the pothole where the ceremonial flag was to be planted, ensuring the event could not take place.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav condemned the BJP government for banning the Neja Mela, accusing it of destroying the state’s syncretic traditions. 

“The BJP is destroying every syncretic culture and undermining communal harmony. Fairs are places where people of all religions and castes come together. If they can praise the Kumbh Mela, then why can't they appreciate other fairs?” Yadav said.

He further stated, “The BJP is uncomfortable with the way we used to live together in harmony, where people of all religions coexisted peacefully.”

Since coming to power, the BJP has actively sought to elevate Suheldev’s legacy, establishing a memorial, launching a superfast train in his name, issuing a postal stamp, and creating a university in his honour. These efforts are seen as part of a larger strategy to consolidate backward caste Hindu votes while reinforcing the party’s ideological narrative.

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