Lucknow: Laxman statue opposite mosque creates new row

Lucknow: Communal passions are being stoked once again in Lucknow with the municipal corporation giving a green signal for the installation of a statue of Laxman, Lord Ram’s brother, at the crossing right opposite the famous Teele Wali Masjid.

The decision to install the state of Laxman comes after veteran BJP leader Lalji Tandon, in his book Ankaha Lucknow released last month, had mentioned that the Teele Wali Masjid had been constructed after demolishing the Laxman Teela.

Lucknow Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia said on Saturday that, “Since Lucknow is known as the city of Laxman, it is perfectly in order to install a magnificent statue opf Laxman in the state capital”. The Shahi Imam of the Teela Wali Masjid, Maulana Fazle Mannan said that the statue of Laxman right in front of the Teele Wali Masjid was an attempt to provoke Muslim sentiments.

He said that thousands offer prayers at the mosque on religious occasions and often spill over on to the roads during prayers. The move by the municipal corporation to set up the statue of Laxman is designed to instigate Muslims.

“In Islam, a statue or a portrait is not permitted and if a statue if installed in front of the Masjid, people cannot offer ‘namaaz’ and it would be wrong. We will have to take to the streets for our personal religious freedom. If the government wants to set up a Laxman statue, there are several other places in the city”, he said.

The Maulana further said that the location of the Teela Wali Masjid was a protected heritage site and no construction could take place without the permission of the Archaeological Survey of India. The cleric said that he would soon lead a delegation to the Governor Ram Naik and chief minister Yogi Adityanath and seek their intervention in the matter.

BJP corporator Ram Krishna Yadav, on the other hand , said that the Laxman statue should be installed at the Laxman Teela and not anywhere else.