Defending Saifai Mahotsava, Samajwadi Party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav asked whether villagers have right to entertainment adding that this fest educates the people about the State and country.
“Saifai Mahotsavas are always embroiled in some controversy. I am not afraid of that. People only look at the entertainment part of this fest but ignore business generated during this Mahotsava,” Yadav said during inauguration of the Mahotasava at Saifai , his native village on Friday.last Saifai Mahotsava generated controversy as it was held at the backdrop of Muzaffarnagar riots. Questions were being asked as why the Government money was used in organising this fest when riot victims were languishing in tents in Shamli and Muzaffarnagar.
Yadav said that Saifai Mahotsava gives employment to lakhs of people. They set up their stalls. Some sell their products from the mela ground. People come from cities to purchase products prepared by the villagers.“People do not see this side of the mela. They do not see competitions being held in wrestling, folk songs, kavi sammelan, cycle race, volleyball and essay writing. They only talk about dance of Bollywood starlet. Tell me, villagers do not have the right to see those functions. Is this entertainment limited only to rich and city dwellers,” he asked.
This is the 17th edition of Saifai Mahotasava which is being organised in the memory of Ranvir Singh, nephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav. “Earlier, this function was organised on a very small scale, but now its popularity has spread across the country,” he said. The function was inaugurated by party’s MP and cine star Jaya Bachchan. Mulayam Singh asked Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to upgrade the inter college in Saifai named after Amitabh Bachchan.General Secretary of the SP, Ram Gopal Yadav along with Member of Parliament Dharmendra Singh performed yagnas for the successfull completin of the grand event.
“The Saifai Mahotsava is being organised with the aim of promoting brotherhood, health, entertainment and peace in the State,” said president of the organising committe and Memeber of Parliament for tha Badaun seat Dharmendra Singh.The event will also witness celebrities from the entertainment industry performing in Saifai. A cycle marathon race along with a series of sports and cultural events will be performed during the Mahatsova.