India, March 17 -- MEERUT The Neja Mela, traditionally held in Sambhal to 'commemorate' Syed Salar Masood Ghazi, nephew of foreign invader Mahmud Ghaznavi. will not take place this year. The Mela committee had sought permission for the event from the additional superintendent of police, but the latter refused, citing public objections over the fair organised in memory of a person said to have been involved in the loot of Somnath Temple.

As per historical records, Ghaznavi attacked India 17 times between 1000 and 1027 AD. During this time, he also attacked many big temples including Somnath Temple.

ASP Shrish Chandra emphasized that Masood Ghazi was responsible for large-scale atrocities in India, including the looting of the Somnath Tem...