In a significant move, the Uttar Pradesh administration has denied permission to hold the annual Jeth Mela at the shrine of Syed Salar Masud Ghazi in Bahraich, citing law and order concerns. This marks the first time in nearly 500 years that the event, held annually between May 15 and June 15, will not take place.
Syed Salar Masud, believed to be a nephew of the 11th-century invader Mahmud of Ghazni, has been a contentious figure due to his association with Ghazni, who infamously attacked India 17 times between 1000 and 1027 AD, including the repeated plundering of the Somnath temple. The fair traditionally draws lakhs of devotees each year, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the region.
According to official statements, the decision was taken in light of recent unrest in the region following incidents like the Pahalgam attack and ongoing controversies related to the Waqf Act. The administration emphasized that maintaining communal harmony and public safety was a top priority.
While the district administration has framed the decision as a precautionary measure, it also aligns with the Yogi Adityanath-led government’s broader stance on historical figures viewed as invaders. “No fair will be organised here in the memory of any looter,” a government source was quoted as saying, reflecting the administration’s firm position on the matter.
The cancellation has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting the move as necessary for maintaining order, while others view it as an encroachment on religious and cultural traditions.
As of now, the state government has not indicated whether the fair will be permitted in future years under changed circumstances.
