Uttar Pradesh Police Denies Permission For Sambhal's Neja Mela, Held In Honour Of Somnath Attacker Ghazi

The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has refused to allow the yearly Neja Mela in Sambhal district to take place this year, Indian Express reported.

The UP Police have pointed to public opposition to the event, which commemorates Syed Salar Masud Ghazi, who is believed to have been involved in the plundering of the Somnath temple in Gujarat.

The Neja (javelin) Mela, a traditional event in Sambhal, is celebrated a week after Holi in honour of Syed Salar Masud Ghazi. Ghazi was the nephew of Mahmud of Ghazni, the Turkish leader known for his 17 invasions of India. Notably, Ghazi is believed to have joined his uncle during the notorious raid of the Somnath temple in 1025 CE.

“The Neja Mela has been traditionally organised in Sambhal. However, some people have raised objections saying that it is held in the memory of Syed Ghazi, a looter involved in the plundering of Somnath,” Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Sambhal, Shirish Chand conveyed to the members of the fair planning committee who met him on Monday (17 March).

“The fair was held for the last several years. By digging the Neja in the ground, we symbolise the beginning of the week-long fair. Various social and cultural events are held. The government has denied permission this year so we have no choice,” Neja Committee chairman Chaudhary Shahid Ali was quoted as saying.

Notably, the police have also warned against the erection of any memorial, that is done to mark the beginning of the Mela. Asserting that it's an “evil practice and not a tradition,” the ASP cautioned that action would be taken against fair committee members if they do not abide by the orders.

The Neja Mela was delayed the previous year because of Ramadan.

Earlier, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Sambhal, Vandana Mishra had also denied permission for the Mela and instead, planned to rebrand the event as Sadbhavna Mela to maintain social harmony.

However, the "Neja Committee members insisted on holding it in the traditional format, saying it should not be altered,” Mishra was quoted as saying in media reports.