By Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his visit to Bahraich, said the state had moved away from commemorations associated with historical invaders and was instead giving greater prominence to figures such as Maharaja Suheldev. His remarks came while speaking about the historical legacy of Bahraich and the newly developed memorial dedicated to the medieval ruler.
The Chief Minister also expressed grief over the devastating floods in Nepal and conveyed his condolences to families affected by the tragedy. Yogi Adityanath and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw observed a two-minute silence in Bahraich as a mark of respect for those affected by the disaster.
New rail connectivity for Bahraich
During the visit, a new train service connecting Bahraich with Nepalganj Road railway station was flagged off without a formal ceremony or elaborate arrangements.
Yogi Adityanath highlighted the expansion of rail connectivity in the region and said new railway infrastructure was being developed to improve links between Bahraich and other parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
He said the proposed rail network would connect Gorakhpur with Siddharthnagar, Utraula and Balrampur before extending towards Bahraich. The connectivity would further link the region with Nepalganj Road, opening a new route for passengers and strengthening cross-border connectivity.
Yogi highlights Maharaja Suheldev’s legacy
Turning to the history of Bahraich, the Chief Minister spoke about Maharaja Suheldev and his role in the region’s history. He said the ruler had defeated the foreign invader Salar Masud around a thousand years ago and had played a significant role in resisting invasions.
Yogi criticised what he described as the neglect of Maharaja Suheldev’s legacy in the decades following Independence. He said historical figures who represented India’s resistance and cultural heritage were not given adequate recognition in the past.
Taking a political swipe at earlier governments, he alleged that events such as Urs and fairs had been organised in the name of historical invaders, which he said amounted to ignoring the legacy of local heroes.
The Chief Minister said the situation had now changed, claiming that there were no such events being organised in Uttar Pradesh in the name of foreign invaders. Instead, he pointed to the grand memorial dedicated to Maharaja Suheldev as a symbol of his victory and contribution.
Focus on history alongside development
Yogi’s remarks in Bahraich linked the state’s infrastructure expansion with efforts to bring regional history and heritage into public focus. The new rail service and the Suheldev memorial, he said, represented two different aspects of the government’s approach — improving connectivity while highlighting the historical figures associated with the region.
The programme also reflected the state’s broader focus on strengthening links between Bahraich, eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Nepal through improved transport infrastructure.
