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Kumbh Mela: Banners Hailing Mafia Atiq Ahmed’s Killers Spark Outrage – News18


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While the banners were removed, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Narendracharya defended such slogans

In Kumbh 2019, the total footfall was 25 crore, which is expected to touch 40 crore in 2025. (Getty)

A controversy erupted in Uttar Pradesh as banners featuring slain mafia Atiq Ahmed and his alleged killers, labelled as “devdoot” (angels), surfaced at the Mahakumbh site.

The banners, reportedly placed by activists claiming to represent the Rashtriya Hindu Dal, sparked outrage. Authorities promptly removed the posters and launched an investigation.

WHO IS ATIQ AHMED?

Ahmed, a controversial figure with a history of criminal and political activities, was assassinated earlier last year. ‘Atiq Ahmed Ka Atank Mukt Pratham Mahakumbha Me Aapka Swagat Hai’ read one of the banners up in the Mahakumbh area. Other banners bore the image of Atiq’s assassins, stating that their family members would be felicitated during Mahakumbh.

Ahmed, a name synonymous with notoriety in UP, had a long and tumultuous career marked by allegations of murder, extortion, and political manipulation. Born in Prayagraj, Ahmed rose from humble beginnings to become a powerful mafia don and later a politician, serving as an MLA and MP. Despite his political successes, his criminal activities overshadowed his career, making him a controversial figure both in life and death.

In April 2024, Ahmed was killed in a dramatic and publicised incident. His murder sent shockwaves through the state and the nation, triggering debates about law and order, vigilante justice, and the nexus between crime and politics. The three individuals accused of his murder were arrested, but their motivations remain shrouded in mystery, with various theories ranging from personal vendetta to orchestrated elimination.

THE SANATAN DEBATE

However, the controversy intensified at the Mahakumbh as district officials identified Roshan Pandey, president of Rashtriya Hindu Dal, as responsible for the posters. Alongside these, other contentious banners were removed during an administrative cleanup, sparking protests from seers.

Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Narendracharya defended such slogans, citing threats to Sanatan Dharma.

In October 2024, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) announced plans to bar “non-Sanatani” individuals, indirectly targeting Muslims, from entering or setting up stalls at the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The decision stemmed from alleged videos depicting members of a specific community contaminating food. The ABAP had also demanded Sanatani police officials for the event and proposed renaming rituals with Farsi origins, such as ‘Shahi Snan’ and ‘Peshwai’, sparking debates related to religious inclusivity and tradition.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, considered as one of the world’s largest gatherings, is scheduled to commence on January 13, 2025, with the Paush Purnima Snan, and will conclude on February 26, 2025, coinciding with Mahashivratri.

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