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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
With Suheldev pitch, BJP plans to upend Oppn's PDA narrative
1 2 Lucknow: CM Yogi Adityanath's proposed visit to Bahraich on June 10 to attend an SBSP-backed 'Shaurya Mela' marking the victory of Maharaja Suheldev over Syed Salar Masood, the general of Turkish invader Mahmud Ghaznavi in the battle of Bahraich in 1034 AD could potentially swing the arc lights back on BJP-led NDA's renewed attempts to nudge the opposition's Pichhda, Dalit Alpsankhyak (PDA) poll narrative which is said to have dented the saffron outfit in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that SBSP chief and UP minister OP Rajbhar has also approached PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate the fair virtually, a move that could further heighten the clamour around the event. The fair in the name of Suheldev has attained much significance against the backdrop of Bahraich district administration cancelling the 'Jeth Mela' at the shrine of Salar Masood citing law and order on account of Pahalgam attack and communal tensions in Sambhal. The event is scheduled to be organised around the Suheldev memorial constructed on the banks of Chittaura lake. Suheldev is considered the presiding deity of Rajbhar community which has a sizable presence in the east UP districts. Invocation of Suheldev by BJP and its allies is not the only case in point. The saffron outfit has been invoking a host of key historical figures from the OBC community strategically in the run-up to the panchayat elections due next year and subsequently the high stakes UP assembly elections in 2027. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo It was only recently when the BJP organized a series of programmes to mark 300th birth centenary of Ahilyabai Holkar, a Maratha queen of Malwa kingdom who ruled from Indore. Notably, she belonged to the Dhangar caste, traditionally associated with shepherding and pastoralism. This caste is predominantly found essentially in the west UP and Braj region districts like Mainpuri, Hathras, Agra, Aligarh, Etah and Mathura. The community, not surprisingly, is wooed by multiple political outfits including Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress. A senior BJP leader said that Holkar besides being an OBC face was highlighted for taking significant steps in preserving temples – a narrative which helps the BJP relay signals vis-à-vis its trademark Hindutva ideology. In September 2021, months before the 2022 assembly elections, the Yogi Adityanath government got a state university in the name of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, a Jat, in Aligarh, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. This was years after the BJP concerted pitch to rename Aligarh Muslim University in the name of Raja, who is said to have donated the land for construction of the university. Experts said that the move to set up a university in the name of Raja marked BJP's strategic measure keeping in mind the Jat population of Aligarh and its surrounding regions. Likewise, in 2022, CM Yogi announced to rename the Agra museum after Gokula Jat, also known simply as Gokul or Gokul Singh, a prominent 17th-century Jat leader from Tilpat (present-day Faridabad district, Haryana). He is remembered for leading one of the earliest organized peasant rebellions against the Mughal Empire during the reign of Aurangzeb. Gokula Jat is remembered in Jat and OBC political narratives, especially in western UP and Haryana. The BJP has also, over the past decade, increasingly invoked Dalit icons such as Sant Ravidas and BR Ambedkar as part of its broader political and social strategy. The engagement is seen as a significant shift from the party's earlier image of being an upper-caste-dominated force to the one which is attempting to reshape its social base and expand its appeal among Dalits and other marginalized communities. The BJP has celebrated Ravidas birth anniversary at state and national levels, often with participation from top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi. Likewise, the party has made Ambedkar an institutional icon, often highlighting his role in shaping modern India.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SBSP to organise Vijay Diwas to mark king Suheldev's valour against invaders
Lucknow: SBSP president and UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday announced that his party will organise Vijay Diwas in Bahraich on June 10 to commemorate the victory of Maharaja Suheldev over Syed Salar Masood, the general and nephew of Turkish invader Mahmud Ghaznavi, in the Battle of Bahraich in 1034 AD. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rajbhar said that he had invited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the event in which a 'Shaurya Mela' would also be organised. The development comes days after the Bahraich district administration denied permission to hold 'Jeth Mela' at the shrine of Salar Masood on the grounds of law and order. "Maharaja Suheldev protected our culture and identity by ending the terror of invaders in India a thousand years ago. This fair will not only be a means of preserving our cultural heritage but will also be a good opportunity for the new generation to know and assimilate their glorious past," he said. The SBSP chief slammed the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, accusing them of trying to erase Maharaja Suheldev's contribution to history for vote bank politics. "Why did the Congress govt keep the heroic saga of Maharaja Suheldev away from history books for decades? Why did the Samajwadi Party organise a fair in the memory of invader Salar Masood Ghazi in Bahraich? Why did it forget the valour of Maharaja Suheldev on the same land," Rajbhar asked. "These questions are not political but are related to our identity, heritage, and the future of our children," he said, adding that his party always pitched Suheldev not just as a "caste hero" but as a "nationalist symbol". Rajbhar said that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav should celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' on June 10. "If they do not do so, it will be considered that they only do vote bank politics and don't want to respect great men," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Maharaja Suheldev's bravery and nationalist dedication should be given due weightage with construction of memorials and parks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi restored the king's historical significance through initiatives such as the installation of Suheldev's statue and a park on 5 acres near Chittora Lake in Bahraich," Rajbhar said.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
After Abbas Ansari's conviction, Rajbhar stakes claim to UP's Mau Sadar Seat
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday staked his party's claim to the Mau Sadar Assembly seat, which fell vacant following the conviction and disqualification of sitting MLA Abbas Ansari. Speaking to the media here, Rajbhar asserted that the SBSP would raise the issue with the top leadership of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), asserting the party's political presence in the region. "The Mau Sadar seat has historically been significant for the SBSP. We were the runner-up in 2017, and in 2022, the SBSP secured victory from this constituency," he said. "With Abbas Ansari sentenced to two years, we will explore legal options to protect our party symbol and, if a by-election is held, we will press our claim for the seat within the NDA." Ansari, a legislator from the SBSP and son of late mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, was recently sentenced to two years in prison in a hate speech case by the MP-MLA court, resulting in his disqualification from the Assembly. Rajbhar also addressed cultural and political issues during the press conference, announcing that a 'Shaurya Mela' (Festival of Valour) would be held in Bahraich on June 10 in honour of Maharaja Suheldev, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath scheduled to attend. 'This event is not just about celebrating our heritage, but also educating the younger generation about our glorious past,' Rajbhar said, accusing previous governments of neglecting historical icons like Suheldev. He alleged that the Congress had deliberately erased Suheldev's legacy to appease a particular vote bank, while the Samajwadi Party honoured invaders like Salar Masood in Bahraich. 'Why was Maharaja Suheldev's heroism ignored on his own land? This isn't just a political question -- it's about identity, heritage, and the future of our children.' Rajbhar further criticised both the Congress and the SP for sidelining national icons such as Ahilyabai Holkar, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and Gautam Buddha. 'For over two decades, these names were ignored -- now, their legacy is being revived.' He also advocated for reforms in the local body election process, demanding that block pramukh and district panchayat heads be elected directly by the public, similar to Nagar Panchayat elections. 'I've discussed this with CM Yogi Adityanath four times, Home Minister Amit Shah twice, and even with the Prime Minister,' he said.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Rajbhar says his party to honour contribution of Maharaja Suheldev on June 10
Addressing a press conference here, Rajbhar said, 'Years ago, Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar defended Indian culture and identity by defeating the invading forces of Salar Masud Ghazi, the commander of Mahmud of Ghazni, who had marched into India with a three lakh-strong army, spreading loot and destruction.' Terming the event not just a military victory but a symbol of India's spiritual and cultural defence, Rajbhar said a grand celebration will be held on June 10 in Bahraich, where the decisive battle took place. While praising Suheldev's bravery, he accused the Congress and SP of erasing the king's legacy from history. Lucknow, Jun 2 (PTI) Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday said his party will celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' on June 10 to honour Maharaja Suheldev's victory over invaders. 'Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji will also grace the event. A 'Shaurya Mela' (fair of valour) will be organised, where people from all communities will participate. It will be an occasion to relive and preserve our proud cultural heritage,' Rajbhar said. He questioned the motives of political parties, who had allegedly ignored the contribution of Maharaja Suheldev. 'I want to ask Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and the Congress: Did you, for vote bank politics, try to erase the legacy of a national hero like Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar? Why was his story kept out of textbooks? Why did the Samajwadi Party organise events in memory of invader Salar Masud Ghazi in Bahraich, but never honoured Suheldev's bravery on the same land?' he said Maharaja Suheldev was a king of Shravasti, who was known for defeating and killing the Ghaznavid general Ghazi Miyan at Bahraich in 1034. Rajbhar accused the Congress and SP of hiding the contributions and valour of great personalities. 'In history, there was always fight with Mughals…For seeking the votes from their (Mughal) 'vanshaj' (heirs), SP and Congress did all the 'dramebaji',' he said. Rajbhar credited his party, SBSP, for raising demands for the installation of Suheldev's statue, the establishment of a university in his name, inclusion of his story in educational curricula, the issuance of commemorative stamps, and construction of memorials. 'I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Adityanath for recognising Maharaja Suheldev's contributions. His grand statue has been installed in Bahraich, a memorial park has been constructed near Chittaura Lake (Bahraich), and a university has been established in Azamgarh in his honour. A postage stamp has also been issued to mark his legacy,' Rajbhar said. He said Maharaja Suheldev was not just a hero of the Rajbhar community, but a protector of the Indian nation and its values. Hitting out at the Congress, Rajbhar claimed the party always worked against the country. 'Its leader Rahul Gandhi used to put the country in the dock during his visit abroad,' he alleged. PTI ABN ABN DV DV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
