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Tension brews in heart of UP as BJP govt plans to install grand Lakshman statue near mosque in Lucknow

Lucknow Nagar Nigam’s decision to install a grand statue of Lord Lakshman outside Teele Wali Masjid has kicked up a row after Muslim clerics opposed the move.

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Lucknow Nagar Nigam’s decision to install a grand statue of Lord Lakshman outside Teele Wali Masjid has kicked up a row after Muslim clerics opposed the move.

Just opposite world-famous Bhul Bhulaiyya (Human Maze) and Bada Imambara, Teele Wali Masjid, Hindus believe, was actually built by razing a temple on Lakshman Teela some 350 years ago. Lucknow derives its name from Lord Lakshman, younger brother of Lord Ram, who made the city its capital. It was earlier known as Lakhnavati or Lakshmanpuri.

During Ram Janambhoomi movement in late 1980s, an attempt was made to liberate the place but was thwarted. Later, a similar proposal to install a statue of Lord Lakshman was floated in 1993-94 outside the mosque but was shelved following strong opposition by Muslim clerics and members of the community.

“Teele Wali Masjid was actually built on Lakshman Teela (mound or hill) by demolishing a temple. If an excavation is carried out at the site like the one at Ayodhya, remnants of a Hindu temple can be found,” claimed Lalji Tandon, former Lucknow MP and senior BJP leader. Tandon has also made a mention of Lakshman Teela in his book titled ‘Ankaha Lucknow’.

But Muslims belie Hindus claims. They claimed that the mosque was built on the instructions of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when he visited the city in memory of famous Muslim Scholar Shaikh Peer Muhammad who ran an Islamic Study Centre at the place. His tomb is located just 20 metres east of the mosque.

After Idgaah, Teele Wali mosque is the most revered place for Muslims to offer Eid and other namaz. Lakhs of Muslims gather in Eid and other festivals to offer namaz at the controversial mosque. “Idol worship is banned in Islam, how will we offer namaz if a statue is installed right in front where we offer namaz,” fumed Maulana Fazl-e-Mannan, Imam of the mosque.

His father late Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, then Imam of the mosque had opposed similar attempts in early 1990s to install a statue of Lord Lakshman. He had also opposed a move to construct an alternative road to save famous Roomi Darwaza on the land of the mosque.

“We will not allow any statue to be installed near mosque,” warned the Imam, suggesting to install the statue at the Lakshman Mela ground on the banks of river Gomti.

The BJP Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia, however, said that Lucknow Nagar Nigam Executive Committee has passed a resolution to install a grand statue of Lord Lakshman but it would be installed at a place where no one should have any objection.

“The statue will not be installed at the land of the mosque where namaj is held but planned at roundabout outside mosque.  A final decision is yet to be taken in this regard. If anyone has any objections, we may reconsider the decision,” said Bhatia.

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