NEW DELHI: Mahamandaleshwar Kaushalya Nand Giri of Kinnar Akhara came down heavily on All India Muslim Jamat (AIMJ) President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi after he claimed that the Mahakumbh was being held on the land that belonged to the Waqf Board. While Speaking to Organiser, Giri said, ” Such baseless remarks by Barelvi indicate that he is an opponent of the Sanatan Dharma.” Giri further highlighted the importance of the Mahakumbh and added that it is one of the biggest festivals of the Sanatan Dharma and people like Barelvi cannot digest the fact that it is being organised on such a large scale.
Giri stated that the Mahakumbh is being organised on the banks of the holy Ganga river since ancient times and Barelvi such comments clearly indicate his mindset which is against the Sanatan Dharma.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamat, stirred controversy by claiming that 55 bighas of land owned by the Waqf Board are being used for the upcoming Mahakumbh event in Prayagraj. In a video message, the Islamic cleric stated that Muslims in Prayagraj have shown generosity by not objecting to the use of Waqf land for the Hindu religious gathering, a remark that has sparked debate over the ownership and usage of the land.
Kumbh Mela की जहां तैयारियां की जा रही है वो जमीन 54 विघह वक्फ की है, मुसलमानो ने बडा दिल दिखाते हुए कोई आपत्ती नही की मगर दूसरी तरफ अखाड़ा परिषद और दूसरे बाबा लोग मुसलमानो के प्रवेश पर पाबंदी लगा रहे है। ये तंग नजरी छोड़नी होगी, मुसलमानो की तरह बड़ा दिल दिखाना होगा। #KumbhMela pic.twitter.com/5zxzKKhdXu
— Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi (@Shahabuddinbrly) January 5, 2025
Barelvi’s remarks has not gone down well with Prof. Girish Chandra Tripathi, Former Vice chancellor, BHU. Tripathi spoke to Organsier and mentioned about the significance of Mahakumbh. He said, ” Since ancient times, the Kumbh Mela has been organized in India every 12 years, based on the unique alignment of celestial constellations. Associating this grand festival with narrow perspectives is not only inappropriate but also unacceptable. India embodies a philosophy, vision, and thought system realized by our sages through lifelong penance and spiritual discipline. The Kumbh Mela has been a timeless tradition, serving as a platform to interpret this philosophy and vision in ways relevant to the era and the land. It stands independent of external validation or approval, rooted in the eternal essence of Indian culture.” He added that remarks made by Barelvi are unacceptable.
Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, Swami Umakantanand Saraswati Maharaj hit back at the remarks made by Barelvi. Speaking to Organiser, he said, “He should avoid making such statements which will adversely affect the social harmony. Moreover, the creation of Waqf Board itself is wrong. If this is a secular country then there should be equality and there should one law for everyone. Also, if there is Waqf Board, then there should be a Sanatan Board also.”
Umakantanand Saraswati said that the Waqf Board has this tendency to claim any land or property. Going by this logic, the whole of Bharat will be of Waqf Board and then we can go else where. Saraswati opined that by making such statement, peace and harmony will be disrupted and he added that the Muslims have come to India from outside or they are converted, therefore by this logic all their houses and property is that of Bharat and that of Hindus, we can say this though it is not appropriate to say this. Therefore, Razvi Barelvi should not be considered the representative of all the Muslims and his statement should not be taken seriously.
Vishva Hindu Parishad National Spokesperson, Vinod Bansal ji slammed Muslim cleric for claiming Mahakumbh was being organised on Waqf land and that mass conversions will take place during Mahakumbh. Bansal ji hit back at Barelvi and said, “Mahakumbh was being organised since the time Islam did not even exist. This exposes the claim of Waqf Board.” Hitting back at the Islamists, Bansal ji said that it was clear that most of the Maulanas are toeing the lines of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and their dream of Ghazwa-e-Hind will never be fulfilled.
#WATCH | On All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi reportedly supporting the claim that the Maha Kumbh is being organised on Waqf land, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal says, "…The 'Namazwadi Party' and the 'Namazwadi Gang' – one is saying… pic.twitter.com/rtnyqwtIK1
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2025
Hindu religious leader Sadhvi Rithambara minced no words in denouncing the claim that is made by Barelvi that the Mahakumbh was being organised on the Waqfboard land. She said, ” Those who divided the country based on religion, they are capturing the India’s land with the conspiracy of waqf, this conspiracy should be stopped… no politics is happening (regarding Maha Kumbh), it is a place to get ‘Dharam’ and ‘punya’…”
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi reportedly supporting the claim that the Maha Kumbh is being organised on Waqf land, Sadhvi Rithambara says, " Those who divided the country based on religion, they are capturing… pic.twitter.com/MSXw3IsYh6
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2025
The Mahakumbh, held once every 12 years, is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26 in Prayagraj. The main bathing rituals, known as the Shahi Snan (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).
