The historical Manhar Kheda Fort located in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh has become the center of controversy. The Rajput community has demanded to preserve it, calling it the heritage of their ancestors. At the same time, Rashtriya Lok Dal MLA Ashraf Ali is calling it his ancestral property. Many families currently live in this fort, which also includes the residence of MLA Ashraf Ali Khan.
Manhar Kheda Kalyan Durg Committee had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding to preserve the fort and changing the name of Jalalabad to Manihar Kheda. On this, the Archeology Department asked for documents related to the fort from Shamli SDM, which SDM Hamid Hussain has sent to the department.
Controversy increased regarding Manhar Kheda Fort
Bhanu Pratap Singh of Rajput community claims that this fort belongs to his ancestors. He told that he has the genealogy and other documents. They say that Jalal Khan had killed 1444 Rajputs in this fort, whose ashes have not been cremated yet.
RLD MLA Ashraf Ali says that this fort is the property of his ancestors and he has all its documents. He also said that he will meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and bring this matter to his notice.
People of Rajput community said that the fort belonged to their ancestors.
The Archeology Department has instructed Shamli SDM to provide documents related to the fort. SDM Sadar Hamid Hussain has handed over all the documents to the Archeology Department. Let us tell you, in 1868, the Saharanpur court had rejected the ownership claim of Ashraf Ali’s ancestors on the fort. Despite this, the movement of Rajput community continues. He says that the fort should be preserved and the ashes of his ancestors should be cremated as per Sanatan customs.
At the same time, Hindu organizations have also prepared their strategy for the demand to preserve the fort. Voice is continuously being raised to preserve the historicity of the fort. At present, this matter remains a cause of dispute between the Archeology Department, Rajput society and the MLA. Local people and Hindu organizations have also intensified the demand to preserve the fort.