COMPOSITE CULTURE AT ITS BEST

LUCKNOW: : The composite culture of the city, which dates back to the nawabi era, has withstood the test of times on several occasions.

Old timers recall how during the Indo-Pak partition, the Aishbagh Ramlila Committee offered Ramlila Ground premises to Muslims to offer Eid prayers, in a perfect show of solidarity and togetherness. Even today, on Eid, the Ramlila committee offers the premises for parking of namazis’ vehicles. Similarly, in reciprocation, the Eidgah offers parking space to visitors to the Ramlila Ground on Dussehra.

Satish Chandra Mishra, 72, a resident of Aishbagh, said during partition, the times were turbulent and there was unrest around Eidgahs of the country. “Things were not good during partition, especially around Eidgahs and Muslim-dominated localities. But our Eidgah in Aishbagh stood apart as there were no such law and order issues here,” said Mishra. He said there was a clear instruction to all Hindus living in localities and mohallas around the Eidgah to extend all possible help to Muslims in need. “Following the riots and communal clashes, most of the Eidgahs in the country couldn’t observe Eid namaaz. But here the Aishbagh Ramlila Committee and the people from the neighbouring mohallas (largely Hindus) came forward and facilitated the Muslims to offer namaaz,” another local said. As a gesture of respect, the Eidgah too opens its doors for Hindus on occasions like Dussehra.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed, Imam Eidgah and chairman of Darul Uloom Firangi Mahali said the Eidgah facilitated parking for visitors at the Ramlila Ground. Aditya Dwiwedi, a member of Aishbagh Ramlila Committee, said the tradition, which was on till today, was “a perfect example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.”