Prayagraj: A fresh controversy has erupted in Prayagraj regarding the land where the Maha Kumbh Mela is set to take place after Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamat, has claimed that the land where the Akhadas ((spiritual congregation sites) are set up for the festival belongs to the Waqf Board. According to Razvi, a total of 55 bighas ( traditional unit of land measurement) of land is under the Waqf’s ownership, and the board insists that Muslims should not be restricted from entering or setting up stalls during the event.

This claim has sparked tension between the Muslim and Hindu communities, especially since the Maha Kumbh Mela is a major event for millions of Sanatan followers worldwide. 

Barelvi's statement came as a response to the ongoing discussions over the upcoming event. He pointed out that Muslims have displayed "large-heartedness" in the past, not objecting to the use of Waqf land for the Kumbh Mela. He called for the same attitude from Hindus, referring to recent calls by the All India Akhara Parishad, which had urged that no Muslims be allowed to enter the Kumbh Mela area and set up stalls.

Barelvi, in a video message, stressed that Muslims had not raised objections over the 55 bigha Waqf land being used for the festival and asked Hindus to adopt the same "large-heartedness" that Muslims had shown. 

However, his remarks drew sharp reactions from the BJP. On Monday, Union Minister Giriraj Singh strongly criticised Maulana Razvi’s comments, saying they were an attempt to provoke Hindus. "The Kumbh Mela predates the birth of Islam and is a deeply respected cultural and religious tradition. Statements like these are an attempt to provoke Hindus and incite communal tensions," Singh remarked.

Singh further questioned the silence of prominent political figures, saying, "Are leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav silent because they endorse such unrest? Do they want to create a situation like Bangladesh in India?”

The Union Minister accused certain radical elements of trying to disrupt the country's harmony by distorting historical and cultural facts. "The Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event; it is a cultural heritage of India, respected globally. Such provocative remarks are unacceptable," Singh added.

BJP leader Amit Malviya also posted the video of the cleric on X. Malviya criticised the cleric’s comments, stating that the Waqf law has become a 'growing problem' now.