Temples in Lucknow are resounding with prayers for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has been ailing for almost a week now.
Temples in Lucknow are resounding with prayers for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has been ailing for almost a week now. Vajpayee, who has been the Lucknow MP four times in a row, commands a level of affection and respect which is unprecedented for any other personality in this city of Nawabs.
Interestingly, it’s not only Hindus, but even Muslims who are organising special prayers for his speedy recovery. Reports said prayers for Vajpayee are also being organised in other cities, like Allahabad, Varanasi and Kanpur.
“Vajpayeeji has risen above differences of caste and community. All of Lucknow respects him like an elder brother. Youngsters love him like a father,” BJP leader Lalji Tandon said. Tandon and other BJP leaders and workers were part of the huge crowd which gathered to pray for him at the famous Hanuman temple here.
“People like Vajpayeeji don’t belong to a particular party. They are for the people, and live for public welfare,” Lucknow mayor and BJP leader Dinesh Sharma said. “His popularity is reflected in the huge margins that he has won with every time. This is not possible with the help of one caste or community,” he added.
Interestingly, most of these prayers are voluntary expressions of respect. “We organised the puja only because we want to see Atal ji in our midst again,” Rajpal Sharma, 42, a government officer, who conducted a maha mrityunjay jaap for Vajpayee at a Shiva temple, said. This special prayer is said for a person battling death or a serious ailment.
“Vajpayeeji has been like a boon for the people of Lucknow. We can’t think of Lucknow without him now.,” Dr Anil Rastogi, a theatrist, said.
But such admiration is not without reason. During Vajpayee’s prime ministership (1998-2004), Lucknow witnessed unprecedented development. Roads and flyovers have come up by the dozen. Work on several projects started during his tenure is still on.
He has supporters even among Muslims. “We prayed to Allah for Atalji’s long life,” Maulana Yasoob Abbas, said.
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