UP-In a quiet village tucked away in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, a big change is coming. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has promised to rename Mustafabad as Kabir Dham. This move honors Sant Kabir Das, the 15th-century poet-saint whose simple words still touch hearts across India. The announcement came during a lively fair, but it has sparked talks about history, faith, and what names really mean to us.
Mustafabad, with its green fields and small homes, has no Muslim families living there today. That’s what caught the CM’s ear. He said the old name doesn’t fit anymore, and linking it back to Kabir will bring pride to the people. But not everyone sees it the same way. Some locals cheer the idea, seeing it as a nod to their roots. Others worry it stirs old pots. As papers get ready for the switch, we look at the full story – from Kabir’s life to why this matters now.
Who Was Sant Kabir? A Voice for Unity in Tough Times
Sant Kabir Das wasn’t born with a silver spoon. Legends say he came into the world around 1398 or 1440 in Varanasi, the holy city on the Ganges. His mom was a widow, and folks say he was found floating in a basket or born from her palm – stories full of wonder. A Muslim weaver couple, Niru and Nima, raised him as their own. Kabir grew up threading looms by day and weaving words of wisdom by night.
He wasn’t tied to one faith. Kabir slammed blind rituals in temples and mosques alike. “If by washing your body, you gain grace, then buffaloes would be saints,” he quipped in one doha. His poems, called dohas, spoke of one God, love over hate, and seeing the divine in everyone. He followed Ramananda, a Hindu guru, but mixed Sufi flavors too. Kabir’s words bridged Hindus and Muslims, urging folks to drop caste fights and find truth inside.
His life? Simple. He married, had kids – Kamal and Kamali – and stuck to weaving. But his fame spread. Kings called him, but he stayed humble. Kabir died in Maghar, a place people shunned back then for bad luck. Legend has it, after he passed, flowers bloomed from his body – Hindus took some for fire rites, Muslims for burial. That’s Kabir: uniting even in the end.
Today, his dohas fill school books and Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text. In UP, places like Kabir Chaura in Varanasi draw pilgrims. But Kabir’s real home? Debates rage. Some say Varanasi, others point to Lahartara nearby. Mustafabad’s claim? It’s tied to a local ashram and fair that celebrate his teachings. Not his exact birth spot, but a spiritual hub where his ideas live on. Renaming it Kabir Dham could shine a light on that bond.
The Day It Happened: A Fair Turns into a Historic Moment
October 27 started like any other in Mustafabad. The Smriti Mahotsav Mela 2025 buzzed at Vishwa Kalyan Ashram. Saints, singers, and villagers gathered to remember Kabir and another local figure, Sant Asangdev Ji Maharaj. Banners flapped in the breeze, kids ran with sweets, and bhajans echoed Kabir’s tunes.
Then CM Yogi arrived. Dressed in his usual kurta, he paid respects at the ashram. Chatting with locals, he learned the village’s name: Mustafabad. “How many Muslim families here?” he asked. “None,” came the reply. That sparked it. Pointing to officials, Yogi said, “Mustafabad nahi, Kabir Dham rakh do!” – Not Mustafabad, make it Kabir Dham!
The crowd cheered. Yogi went on: “We will send the proposal soon. This is about giving back honor to a place tied to Sant Kabir’s legacy.” He linked it to bigger changes: Ayodhya from Faizabad, Prayagraj from Allahabad. “Old rulers twisted names to hurt feelings. That’s not secularism – it’s fake. Our time is for real pride,” he added, taking a jab at past governments.
The mela rolled on with groundbreakings for a new dharamshala and talks on Kabir’s dohas. Yogi praised Asangdev Ji for fighting drugs and spreading peace. “Kabir taught us to see God in all. That’s our guide,” he said. By evening, news spread like wildfire on phones and WhatsApp groups.
Why Now? Yogi’s Drive to Fix the Past
This isn’t Yogi’s first rename. Since 2017, his government has flipped names seen as “foreign” or mismatched. Allahabad became Prayagraj in 2018, nodding to ancient texts. Faizabad turned Ayodhya, birthplace of Lord Ram. Over 50 places got tweaks – from Mughal-era tags to Sanskrit or local roots.
For Kabir Dham, it’s personal too. UP’s BJP pushes “cultural nationalism” – reviving sites that mix faith and history. Kabir fits perfect: A saint who slammed divisions, yet his name got changed long ago, say locals. Yogi called old changes “hypocrisy under secularism’s name.” Now, with no Muslim residents, he sees a chance to “restore” without fuss.
But history check: When did Mustafabad get its name? Records are fuzzy, likely during Mughal times when many spots got Islamic tags. Kabir Dham? Tied to the ashram founded later, but folks say it echoes the saint’s spirit. The rename could boost tourism – imagine pilgrims flocking like to Ayodhya.
Mixed Feelings on the Ground: Cheers and Concerns
In Mustafabad’s tea stalls and fields, talks are hot. Ramu, a 60-year-old farmer, grinned wide. “Kabir Baba’s name will bring blessings. Our village will shine – more visitors, maybe jobs,” he said over chai. Sunita Devi, a homemaker, nodded. “Kabir taught equality. This feels right, like owning our story.”
Not all smiles, though. Young teacher Ajay Singh shrugged. “Name change is fine, but fix roads first. Heritage is good, but daily life matters more.” Some elders recall mixed pasts. “Old name had no harm. Why stir? Kabir wouldn’t like fights over labels,” said one quietly.
Opposition voices? Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav tweeted: “Names change, but real work? Roads, schools – that’s what people need.” AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi called it “selective secularism,” pointing to the “no Muslims” line. On X, hashtags like #KabirDham trended – some with dohas, others with memes.
Experts weigh in too. Historian Irfan Habib said, “Kabir was for all faiths. Renames can unite if done with care, but watch the tone.” Tourism boss from UP added, “This could draw 10,000 visitors yearly, like other dham sites.”
The Road Ahead: Papers, Pride, and Possible Pushback
Formal steps start now. District officials draft the proposal for state cabinet nod. Then, gazette notice – official stamp. Signboards change, maps update, schools teach the new name. Timeline? Weeks, if smooth.
Bigger picture: Yogi’s UP eyes Rs 5,000 crore for heritage tourism by 2026. Kabir Dham fits – trails linking Varanasi, Maghar, and here. But challenges? If protests brew, courts may step in, like past renames.
For villagers, it’s hope mixed with wait. “Let it bring good, like Kabir’s words,” said a saint at the ashram.
What People Are Saying: Quotes from the Heart
We asked around for real thoughts:
- Yogi Adityanath, UP CM: “When no Muslims live here, why Mustafabad? It should be Kabir Dham. We restore honor to places like this – Ayodhya, Prayagraj, now Kabir Dham.”
- Ramu Sharma, Local Farmer: “This name links us to Baba Kabir. Our kids will learn pride, not just books.” (Field chat).
- Sunita Devi, Village Woman: “Kabir said see God in all. Rename feels like that – our village for everyone.”
- Ajay Singh, Teacher: “Good idea, but pair it with jobs. Heritage alone won’t fill bellies.”
- Akhilesh Yadav, SP Leader: “Rename all you want, but build schools. People vote for progress, not just past.” (Tweet).
- Irfan Habib, Historian: “Kabir crossed divides. Use this to build bridges, not walls.” (Recent interview).
- Sant Asangdev Ji Follower: “Baba’s light grows here. Kabir Dham will spread his peace further.” (Mela speech).
These voices show the split – joy in roots, calls for more.
As October ends, Mustafabad waits. Kabir Dham could be a fresh start, echoing a saint’s call for simple truth. In a land of stories, this one’s just beginning. Will it unite or divide? Only time, and actions, will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is Mustafabad being renamed to Kabir Dham?
A: CM Yogi Adityanath announced it on October 27, 2025, at the Smriti Mahotsav Mela in Lakhimpur Kheri. He learned the village has no Muslim families, yet it’s named Mustafabad – a name from Mughal times. He said it doesn’t fit, and Kabir Dham honors the link to Sant Kabir Das, whose teachings of unity the area celebrates through its ashram and fairs. It’s part of restoring “original” names, like Ayodhya from Faizabad. Not about birth spot, but spiritual heritage. Proposal goes to cabinet soon for approval.
Q2: Is Mustafabad really Sant Kabir’s birthplace?
A: No clear proof. Kabir was born in Varanasi (Kashi) around 1398-1440, per most histories. Legends say Lahartara nearby. Mustafabad’s tie? The Vishwa Kalyan Ashram and mela honor his legacy – dohas, bhajans, social work. Yogi called it a “place of Kabir’s honor,” not exact home. Rename boosts that cultural spot, drawing pilgrims like Kabir Chaura in Maghar.
Q3: What do locals think about the rename?
A: Views split. Many like farmer Ramu say it’s pride-boosting: “Links us to Baba Kabir, brings visitors and jobs.” Women like Sunita see unity in it. But teacher Ajay wants focus on roads, schools: “Heritage good, but fix daily woes.” No big protests yet, but opposition like Akhilesh Yadav calls for real development over names. On social media, #KabirDham mixes cheers with cautions.
Q4: How does this fit Yogi’s other renames?
A: It’s the latest in 50+ changes since 2017. Big ones: Allahabad to Prayagraj (2018) for ancient roots; Faizabad to Ayodhya (2018) for Ram’s city. Yogi says old rulers “twisted names to hurt sentiments” – like Kabir Dham to Mustafabad. Goal: Cultural revival, tourism boost. Rs 5,000 crore planned for sites by 2026. Critics call it “symbolic politics.”
Q5: What happens next for the rename?
A: Officials draft proposal for state cabinet. If okay, gazette notification makes it official – signboards, maps change. Timeline: 1-2 months if no hitches. Then, tourism push – trails to Varanasi, events. But if courts or protests come, delays possible, like past cases. Village plans small celebrations once done.
Q6: Why mention ‘no Muslims’? Does it hurt harmony?
A: Yogi used it to question the name’s fit, saying it was changed despite no link. He stressed Kabir’s unity message. Some see it as divisive; Owaisi called it “selective.” But locals say no tension – village is peaceful. Kabir’s dohas remind: “Truth is one; don’t fight over paths.” Experts urge focus on his harmony to keep peace.