Bahraich Dargah Sharif Committee Moves Allahabad HC Over Denial Of Permission For Annual Syed Salar Mela

The Management Committee of Dargah Sharif, Bahraich and four other UP residents have moved the Allahabad High Court against the recent decision of the District Administration to deny permission for the annual 'Jeth Mela' at Syed Salar Masood Ghazi Dargah in Bahraich, citing law and order concerns given the situation in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Challenging the decision of the district administration, the plea filed by Advocate L.P. Mishra contends that the authorities are obstructing the conduct of the traditional Annual Jeth Mela, 2025 on politically motivated grounds aimed at appeasing a select few, which is neither fair, just, nor proper. “…the Annual Basant Mela and Urs held in February, followed by the Annual Jeth Mela held in May/June every year, are as per the old established customs and traditions of Dargah Sharif, Bahraich. The faith and sentiments of lakhs of Zaireen/devotees are attached to these events, and the customary right of the devotees to visit for making prayer and offerings cannot be curtailed or hindered by the District Administration under the garb of flimsy grounds,” the plea submits, It also submits that the Annual Basant Mela and Jeth Mela at the Dargah are State-recognised events since 1987 and deeply linked to the faith of lakhs of devotees. Thus, the District Administration's attempt to deny or obstruct such a traditionally held event is arbitrary and unjustified. Referring to the report attached to the letter denying permission for the Mela, the plea submits that the incidents cited from across the country have been deliberately included to create a sense of havoc and prevent the holding of the traditional Annual Jeth Mela. It also asserts that the said report was purposefully obtained to create obstacles in the organisation of the Mela, and that the reports of all officers included in the impugned order are stereotyped and disconnected from reality. Even if the reports were true, it is the duty of the District Administration to maintain law and order and support the conduct of the long-established, State-recognised Mela, the plea adds. In contrast, the plea submits that the traditional Devi Patan Mela, held in March-April 2025 in the adjoining district of Balrampur, was successfully organised by the temple management at Tulsipur with full cooperation of the district administration. Lakhs of devotees participated peacefully, and even the Hon'ble Chief Minister visited the shrine during the Mela. “…if, Devi Patan Mela at Tulsipur, District Balrampur can be held peacefully…despite all the incidents of the country narrated in the impugned letter/order…then there is no justification for creating hindrance and obstructing traditional Annual Jeth Mela of Dargah Sharif Bahraich by issuing impugned letter/order by the Opposite Party No.2” the plea argues. Against this backdrop, the plea prays that the letter of the office of District Magistrate refusing permission for Mela be quashed and the local administration be directed to cooperate and coordinate in preparation and organising the Annual Jeth Mela-2025.A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea is presently pending in the Allahabad High Court, challenging the recent decision of the District Administration to deny permission for the annual 'Jeth Mela' at Syed Salar Masood Ghazi Dargah in Bahraich, citing law and order concerns.

Bahraich Dargah Sharif Committee Moves Allahabad HC Over Denial Of Permission For Annual Syed Salar Mela

Sparsh Upadhyay

Tags