'Fair' Game: UP's Sambhal Back In Spotlight, This Time Over Legacy Of Muslim Invader Salar Masud Ghazi
On March 17, the Sambhal administration categorically refused to allow the Neja Mela event, held to commemorate Syed Salar Masud Ghazi, citing objections from members of the Hindu community and concerns over public order
Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh has once again found itself at the centre of a major controversy with the state government’s decision to deny permission for the annual Neja Mela—the fair, traditionally held a week after Holi, to commemorate Syed Salar Masud Ghazi, the nephew of Mahmud of Ghazni, a medieval invader infamous for plundering Hindu temples, including the Somnath temple in Gujarat. Some political analysts have called it an attempt by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to counter the opposition Samajwadi Party’s PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) formula.
On March 17, the Sambhal administration categorically refused to allow the event, citing objections from members of the Hindu community and concerns over public order. Additional superintendent of police (ASP) Shirish Chandra spearheaded the decision, labelling the practice of celebrating an invader as an “evil tradition". The administration went further by sealing a site traditionally used to mark the mela’s inauguration, filling the ceremonial flagpole pit with cement.
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ASP Chandra’s firm stance was echoed by sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Dr Vandana Mishra, who had previously rejected requests from the Neja Committee. In an earlier attempt at reconciliation, officials proposed renaming the event “Sadbhavna Mela" to promote communal harmony, but committee members insisted on maintaining the original name and format. The administration, however, refused to relent.
Tradition of Neja Mela
The Neja Mela has been a significant event in Sambhal’s cultural and religious history for centuries. Traditionally held a week after Holi, the fair begins with the planting of a Neja (javelin) in the ground, marking the start of week-long festivities. Over the years, the mela has served as a platform for social and cultural exchanges, with both Hindu and Muslim communities participating in its various events.
The fair includes processions, musical performances, and community feasts, fostering a sense of unity and heritage. Despite political debates surrounding its origins, local residents have long viewed the mela as a tradition that brings people together.
The Neja Mela organising committee has strongly opposed the administration’s decision to ban the event. Committee chairman Chaudhary Shahid Ali expressed disappointment, stating, “The fair has been held for generations without any communal disturbances. It is not just a religious event but a symbol of social and cultural harmony. We even proposed renaming it as ‘Sadbhavna Mela’ to emphasise unity, but the administration remains adamant."
Ali further emphasised that the fair should not be politicised, as its primary purpose has always been to unite communities rather than divide them.
Political fallout
The controversy quickly took a political turn, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) engaging in a war of words. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of stoking communal tensions and attempting to erase a long-standing tradition that symbolised Uttar Pradesh’s syncretic culture, or Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb. “Melas have always been a space for harmony where both communities interact. The BJP government is destroying this essence of brotherhood," Yadav asserted.
BJP leaders, however, justified the ban by framing it as a step towards reclaiming cultural pride. Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar emphasised that the state should be celebrating Maharaja Suheldev, the OBC warrior king who defeated Salar Masud in the 11th century. “Rather than glorifying an invader, we should be highlighting the heroism of Suheldev, who defended our culture and land," he said.
UP minister Anil Rajbhar echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the BJP government’s initiatives to honour Suheldev. Over the years, the government has named a train after the medieval king, unveiled a statue of him in Bahraich, and launched projects to commemorate his legacy. Union home minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also paid tributes to Suheldev, viewing him as a key figure in consolidating OBC support for the BJP.
Historical context
The Neja Mela controversy is deeply rooted in history, bringing back to public discourse the 11th-century conflict between Salar Masud and Maharaja Suheldev.
According to historical accounts, including Mirat-i-Masudi, Salar Masud was a commander in Mahmud of Ghazni’s army, involved in invasions that led to mass killings and temple destructions across north India. His expansionist ambitions were ultimately halted by Suheldev, who, with an alliance of local kings, defeated and killed Masud in Bahraich.
Political analysts said that the BJP has successfully leveraged this historical narrative in past elections, particularly to consolidate support among OBC and Dalit communities. The Rajbhar, Maurya, Kushwaha, and Nishad communities, who form a significant portion of the BJP’s voter base in eastern and central Uttar Pradesh, have been mobilised around Suheldev’s legacy. By portraying the Neja Mela as a celebration of an “invader", the BJP is attempting to deepen its outreach among these communities, countering the opposition’s PDA (Pichda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) formula.
Road to 2027
With the next Uttar Pradesh assembly elections scheduled for 2027, the Neja Mela controversy serves as a litmus test for the BJP’s polarising strategies. The party, still recovering from its weaker-than-expected performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is keen on consolidating its base. The government’s firm stance against the mela is being seen as a calculated move to reinforce Hindu nationalist sentiments while countering the SP-led INDIA bloc’s influence among backward classes and minorities.
Meanwhile, the opposition is attempting to position the BJP as an anti-minority force. By emphasising the fair’s long-standing tradition, SP and other opposition leaders are portraying the crackdown as an attack on religious freedom and cultural heritage. However, the BJP has countered this by highlighting the need to reject past invaders and celebrate indigenous heroes instead.
Ground reality in Sambhal
On the ground, the situation remains tense. Heavy police deployment, including PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) and RAF (Rapid Action Force) personnel, is in place to prevent any unrest. Drone surveillance is also being used to monitor the situation. While the administration’s firm stance has prevented any immediate flare-up, the underlying tensions remain palpable.
Community leaders from both sides have called for calm, but the wounds of history, now amplified by political manoeuvring, make reconciliation difficult. The BJP’s efforts to push the Suheldev narrative further indicate that the controversy is far from over.
The Neja Mela dispute in Sambhal is more than just a cultural debate; it reflects the larger political and ideological battle shaping Uttar Pradesh’s future. While the BJP aims to deepen its outreach among OBC and Dalit voters by invoking Maharaja Suheldev’s victory over Salar Masud, the SP-led opposition is positioning itself as the defender of minorities.
Recent controversies in Sambhal
Sambhal has frequently found itself in the midst of communal and political controversies in recent years. The district was previously in the spotlight over issues related to illegal slaughterhouses, disputes over religious processions, and tensions surrounding land encroachments linked to religious sites. The recent Neja Mela controversy has only added to the tensions, with the administration’s firm stance against commemorating Syed Salar Masud Ghazi drawing sharp reactions from political and religious groups.
Additionally, past incidents of communal clashes and protests over government policies have kept Sambhal at the centre of Uttar Pradesh’s socio-political debates, making it a focal point in the state’s charged electoral landscape.
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