The Allahabad High Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a response to a plea seeking permission for the annual Urs at the Dargah of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi in Bahraich.
The event, a long-standing religious gathering, is scheduled to begin on May 15.
Challenge To The District Magistrate’s Ban
The writ petition, filed by representatives of Waqf No. 19 Dargah Sharif, challenges the recent order issued by the Bahraich District Magistrate denying permission for this year’s Urs. The petition came up before the Lucknow bench of Justices Rajan Roy and O.P. Shukla, who scheduled the next hearing for May 14.
Historic Significance Of The Dargah
Appearing on behalf of the Dargah, senior advocate L.P. Mishra informed the court that the shrine dates back to 1375 AD and was established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in memory of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi. According to Mishra, the Dargah has hosted a month-long Urs celebration every year during the Hindu month of Jyestha (May–June), attracting four to five lakh devotees from across India and abroad.
1987 Administrative Order Cited
Advocate Mishra argued that the district administration has no legal basis to prohibit the Urs, pointing to an administrative order dated April 1, 1987. As per that directive, he claimed, the administration is obligated to support and facilitate the arrangements for the event.
Opposing the plea, state representatives said that the District Magistrate’s order was based on intelligence inputs and reports from various government departments, including the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU). They clarified that there is no restriction on rituals inside the Dargah premises itself, but the broader event, which typically spans a five-kilometre radius, has been restricted due to security considerations.
Court Seeks Ownership Documents
During the proceedings, Mishra stated—citing his associate advocate Syed Hussain—that approximately 1.5 square kilometres surrounding the shrine fall under the Dargah’s ownership. In response, the bench asked for official documents confirming this claim. Mishra requested additional time to furnish the records, which the court allowed.
The matter will now be heard again on May 14, just a day before the scheduled start of the Urs.
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