Meerut: Police in Uttar Pradesh detained 40 people on Tuesday for attempting to take out an unauthorised procession marking the birth anniversary of Emperor Mihir Bhoj, officials said.

Those held included Pathik Sena’s national president Mukhiya Gurjar, who was later released, police said.

According to authorities, the group had called for processions in Meerut city and nearby Mawana to celebrate the Pratihar dynasty king, whom the Gurjar community claims as an ancestor. Police said no permission had been granted for the events.

“Forty people had been detained because they insisted on taking out the procession,” Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada told PTI.

Heavy security was deployed at Commissioner’s Square after Gurjar earlier announced plans to hold a program there. A separate announcement of a gathering at Chaudhary Charan Singh University campus also prompted police deployment.

On Tuesday, Gurjar garlanded a statue of Dhan Singh Kotwal outside the chief medical officer’s office. Police tried to detain him as he was returning, but his supporters resisted, attempting to help him flee in his car. The vehicle was later intercepted.

Gurjar was arrested Monday in a separate case involving alleged illegal occupation of graveyard land in Parikshitgarh and was released on bail.

“We are not allowed to celebrate his (Emperor Mihir Bhoj) birth anniversary. If this stepmotherly treatment is done with our society and with us, then we will also have to change our religion again,” Gurjar said.

He added that there would be a gathering of the Gurjar community on September 25. “I will seek no permission for it,” he said.