LAKSHMAN STATUE PROPOSAL: HEATED DEBATE LIKELY IN LMC HOUSE MEET TODAY

LUCKNOW : The proposal to install a Lakshman statue in front of Tilewali Masjid, which is to be tabled in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation house meeting on Saturday, is likely to generate a lot of heat.

The proposal would be opposed by Samajwadi Party and Congress corporators who feel that a statue in front of Teelewali Masjid would cause inconvenience to Muslims. Leader of the opposition in the LMC house Sayyed Yawar Hussain ‘Reshu’ said, “We are not opposed to installation of Lord Lakshman’s statue. We are opposed to the way the proposal has been brought to disturb communal harmony in a city where Hindus and Muslims have lived peacefully for years. The timing of announcing statue installation in front of Teelewali masjid is questionable because it can lead to problems on Eid and during Friday prayers.”

He said, “I will welcome it if the statue is installed inside a temple, not at a public place.” Congress corporator Mukesh Singh said, “Prior to this, BJP veteran Lalji Tandon’s book ‘Ankaha Lucknow’ had had ruffled some feathers, accusing Muslims of severing the city’s connect with the younger brother of Lord Ram. Now the Mayor is doing the same. Statues must remain inside temples, not be installed at public places.”

Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia said , “The house will debate and decide over the installation of the statue. I don’t think there is any difficulty in this proposal. The house will pass the proposal without any problem.” She said, “I have talked to a number of historians, literary personalities and religious figures and all have supported the statue at that place, as it was Lord Lakshman who established Lucknow. There is no room for controversy on the issue.” Some SP corporators said that if the statue was installed, it would be a blatant violation of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court’s order that prohibits installation of statues, hoardings and banners on crossings, citing it as a reason that hampers visibility.