Two Urs events blocked in UP after VHP calls saint an invader, tensions feared

Amid an increasingly assertive stance by the BJP government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that critics allege reflects a pattern of hostility towards Muslim religious practices, authorities in Uttar Pradesh have refused permission for two annual Urs ceremonies—one in Ayodhya and the other in Barabanki—citing law and order concerns.

The denial in Ayodhya followed a complaint by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which alleged that the religious gathering was being organised in the name of "Ghazi Baba", a reference to Syed Salar Masood, a historical figure regarded in local Muslim traditions as a saint, though portrayed by Hindu right-wing groups as an invader.

Authorities initially granted permission for the event under the title “Urs Dada Miya”, but later revoked it after asserting that the actual intent was to commemorate Salar Masood.

In Barabanki’s Phoolpur area, the administration denied permission for the Urs commemorating Syed Shakeel Baba, claiming that disputes had arisen in the locality that could potentially trigger communal unrest. This is not the first instance of official restrictions on traditional Muslim events in Uttar Pradesh, as earlier in March, police in Sambhal disallowed the Neja Mela—a fair commemorating Salar Masood Ghazi—asserting that no event glorifying someone branded as an "invader" or "plunderer" would be permitted, regardless of its historical continuity.

The growing trend of restrictions on events related to figures like Salar Masood contrasts with the state government's celebration of Suheldev, a medieval Hindu king hailed in some accounts as having defeated Masood.

The BJP government has commemorated Suheldev with a memorial, a superfast train, a university, and a postage stamp, portraying him as a symbol of indigenous resistance and using his legacy to appeal to backwards caste Hindu constituencies.