Hyderabad, March 18 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the cancellation of the annual Neja (javelin) mela, traditionally held a week after the Holi festival in Sambhal in memory of Syed Salar Masud Ghazi who allegedly played a role in the destruction of Somnath temple.

Speaking to reporters, Sambhal additional superintendent of police (ASP) Shirish Chand said, "The Neja mela has been traditionally organised in Sambhal. However, some people have raised objections saying that it is held in the memory of Syed Ghazi, a looter involved in the plundering of Somnath temple."

Every year, the Neja mela is conducted to commemorate Syed Salar Masud Ghazi, the nephew of Turkish ruler Mahmud of Ghazni who invaded India 17 times. In the 11...