Just a week before the start of Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a cleric has stoked a controversy by claiming that the event is being held on land owned by the Waqf Board. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamat, has claimed that 55 bighas of Waqf land are being used for the Hindu religious event.
In a video message, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said that Muslims of Prayagraj have shown a large heart by allowing the mela on Waqf land, and Hindus should reciprocate by allowing the Muslims to enter the event. He slammed the call by All India Akhara Parishad to bar non-Hindus from the Kumbh.
WATCH | The 54 Bigha land where the #Mahakumbh Mela is being held in #Prayagraj belongs to the #WAQF board, claims Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, a Barelvi cleric. pic.twitter.com/lGWIBM8Iko
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) January 5, 2025
Barelvi said, ‘Akhara Parishad, Naga Sanyasis, swamis and babas have banned the entry of Muslims from Kumbh Mela. On the other hand, a Muslim man named Sartaz from Prayagraj has said that the land where preparations are being made for the Kumbh Mela belongs to the Waqf, and it is owned by local Muslims. But see the large-heartedness of Muslims, they have not raised any objections over the 55 bigha of waqf land being used for the Kumbh.’
He added that while Muslims have shown a large heart, Hindu groups are showing narrowness by not allowing Muslims in the Kumbh Mela.
However, Hindu leaders have rejected the claims made by the Muslim cleric. Hindu Mahasabha President Swami Chakrapani Maharaj said that Maulana Shahabuddin must be sponsored by Pakistan and ‘people with a terrorist mindset’. He said that the cleric is making a malicious attempt to disturb the Maha Kumbh, and his statements should be investigated.
महाकुंभ के भूमि पर वकफ बोर्ड का दावा करने वाले मौलाना को तत्काल गिरफ्तार किया जाए और उनकी जांच किया जाए कि कहीं वह पाकिस्तान या आतंकी संगठन से तो जुड़े हुए नहीं है महाकुंभ को विवादित करने का प्रयास बर्दाश्त नहीं होगा🌸🙏🌸 @myogiadityanath @dgpup @Uppolice @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/jeUjA97N2r
— Swami Chakrapani Maharaj (@SwamyChakrapani) January 5, 2025
‘I believe that immediate action should be taken against people who spoil the atmosphere in this way. FIR should be registered against them and they should be arrested. If such people are out, they will keep talking such nonsense and spoil the atmosphere of the country,’ Chakrapani Maharaj said.