Concerns Raised Ahead of Mahakumbh 2025
With the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj set to begin from January 13 to February 26, concerns over communal harmony have surfaced. Prominent clerics have urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to prevent any attempt at mass religious conversions during the event.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of All India Muslim Jamaat, wrote to the chief minister on Friday. He claimed to have received reliable information about plans to convert hundreds of Muslims during the gathering. He called on the government to thwart such moves and protect the rights of minorities.
Demands to Bar Muslims from Mahakumbh Sparks Debate
Last year, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) allegedly proposed that goods for the Mahakumbh should be bought only from Hindu shopkeepers. The council reportedly discussed banning Muslims from setting up shops at the fair premises.
Reacting to these reports, Maulana Barelvi called the demand “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional”. He urged Muslims to avoid attending Mahakumbh to prevent any conflict.
“The Akhara Parishad held a meeting in November and discussed keeping Muslims away from the event. That’s why I advised Muslims to stay away to avoid trouble,” Barelvi said.
Muslim Leaders Criticize Exclusion Call
Several Muslim leaders condemned the alleged exclusion of Muslims from Mahakumbh. They argued that such calls violate India’s secular values.
Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor to Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, said this is the first time Muslims are at the center of discussions before the largest Hindu religious gathering.
“India is a secular country. Excluding Muslims from Mahakumbh crushes the soul of the Constitution,” Rashidi stated. He warned that viewing Mahakumbh through a religious lens would harm the country’s unity.
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, questioned the logic behind barring Muslims from the event.
“If a Muslim wants to attend Mahakumbh to learn, what’s the harm? Islam is not so weak that visiting a fair will shake someone’s faith,” Abbas said.
State Officials Respond to Conversion Fears
Maulana Barelvi’s concerns about mass conversions sparked a response from state officials. Mohsin Raza, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee, dismissed the fears as baseless. He claimed that some people create controversies to gain political attention.
“You must have heard RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Ji say that controversy-seekers exist everywhere. Those raising these issues are doing so for their personal agenda,” Raza said.
He emphasized that Muslims have always been part of the Kumbh arrangements. He said demanding their exclusion goes against Sanatani culture, which promotes harmony and brotherhood.
Conversion Allegations Spark War of Words
Mohsin Raza accused those raising conversion concerns of having been involved in illegal conversions in the past. He suggested that these individuals fear a “ghar waapsi” (homecoming) of people they previously converted.
“Those who wrote to the chief minister know that illegal conversions they carried out could be reversed. That’s why they are anxious,” Raza claimed.
Meanwhile, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, a senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said the board would not issue any advisory on Muslims attending Mahakumbh. He maintained that individuals can decide based on their personal beliefs.
Mahakumbh 2025: A Test for Harmony
As the world’s largest religious gathering draws near, the focus has shifted to maintaining communal harmony. The Uttar Pradesh government faces pressure to ensure the event remains inclusive and peaceful.
The coming weeks will reveal how the Yogi Adityanath-led administration addresses these concerns and protects the rights of all communities during Mahakumbh 2025.
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