Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh – : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during a public event in Bahraich, strongly advocated for a shift in historical narratives, calling for an end to the glorification of foreign invaders and instead urging that India’s native heroes be duly celebrated.
The occasion marked the unveiling of a statue of Maharaja Suheldev and the inauguration of 384 development projects collectively valued at ₹1,243 crore. Speaking before a large crowd, the Chief Minister described Maharaja Suheldev as a symbol of resistance and bravery, whose contributions to the nation’s heritage have long been overlooked.
Maharaja Suheldev, a legendary figure from the Rajbhar community, is believed to have defeated the Ghaznavid commander Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masood in a historic battle near Chittora Lake in 1033 AD.
“In Bahraich, a thousand years ago, a fierce battle for India’s honour was fought, and it was Maharaja Suheldev who rose to the challenge,” Adityanath said. “It is time we honour such legends and stop giving space to those who sought to plunder the country.”
Highlighting the importance of historical recognition, Adityanath pointed out that the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently supported efforts to restore dignity to national icons who were previously sidelined.
Referring to the confrontation between Suheldev’s forces and the invading army, the Chief Minister recounted that despite being vastly outnumbered, Suheldev’s smaller contingent achieved a decisive victory. “History tells us that his 20,000–25,000 warriors stood their ground against an invading force more than five times their size,” he noted.
The Chief Minister’s comments came amidst a local dispute over the cancellation of the annual ‘Jeth Mela’, a traditional gathering at the dargah of Salar Masood. The district administration had cited security concerns in the aftermath of recent violent incidents and growing public unrest.
The Allahabad High Court had earlier ruled against holding the large-scale fair, but allowed limited customary religious activities at the dargah. Addressing this, Adityanath stated, “Events should not be held in honour of invaders. Bahraich’s cultural celebrations should be rooted in the legacy of its native icons—Maharaja Suheldev, Balark Rishi, and Maa Pateshwari Devi.”
Taking aim at previous governments, particularly the Samajwadi Party, Adityanath alleged that political appeasement had led to deliberate historical neglect. “Post-independence leaders failed to acknowledge Suheldev’s legacy because they feared backlash from their vote banks,” he asserted. “Such politics has no place in a new India that values its heritage.”
Adityanath’s speech not only revived public discourse around regional icons like Suheldev but also underscored the broader effort by the current administration to realign India’s historical narrative with indigenous pride and cultural identity.
