By Akhilesh Tripathi
LUCKNOW: Amid rising controversy over the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) efforts to block religious events related to Muslim saints in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has intensified his campaign against the glorification of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi, a historical figure respected by Muslims as well as Hindus in India. Adityanath called any celebration of Salar Masood a form of “treason” and a betrayal of India’s history, further escalating the political climate surrounding these events. Adityanath called Salar Masood as a “foreign invader.”
Popularly known as Ghazi Miyan, Salar Masood was a military general under Mahmud Ghaznavi, whose invasions, particularly the destruction of the Somnath temple in Gujarat, are a controversial chapter in Indian history. Despite his association with conquests in battles fought by Mahmood Ghaznavi, Ghazi Miyan has gained veneration as a semi-legendary figure and warrior saint, especially in regions like Bahraich, where his tomb attracts millions of pilgrims each year during the Jeth Mela, an event honouring his memory.
On March 20, while inaugurating a new tehsil building in Mihipurwa, Bahraich, Yogi Adityanath condemned the holding of the Jeth Mela in honour of Salar Masood, calling it “treason” against the nation. “Glorifying any foreign invader is akin to committing treason,” he asserted. “A free India cannot accept a traitor. Anyone who insults India’s great personalities and glorifies invaders will not be tolerated by the new India.”
During his visit to Bahraich, Gonda, and Balrampur, the Chief Minister emphasized the region’s historical significance, especially the defeat of Salar Masood Ghazi by the warrior king Maharaja Suheldev. Adityanath urged the people of Bahraich to honour the legacy of Suheldev instead of celebrating Ghazi Masood. “Bahraich is the land of the great sage Balark. The valour of Maharaja Suheldev is written in history. The foreign invader Salar Masood was defeated here, sending a message that for 150 years, no one dared to challenge this region,” he declared. “Now, it is the responsibility of the people here to honour the valour of Maharaja Suheldev. The BJP government has honoured him by building a victory memorial in his name.”
This story was originally published in indiatomorrow.net. Read the full story here.
