LUCKNOW: The ‘Namaz vs. Sundarkand’ dispute escalated in Lucknow on Saturday after the police filed an FIR against an unidentified group of individuals who allegedly offered namaz at the recently opened Lulu Mall after a right-wing Hindu organisation objected and requested permission to recite the sacred Hanuman text. They were charged with inciting animosity between various communities and attempting to offend religious sensibilities.
On Saturday, however, Section 144 was implemented in the regions around the mall and police were positioned as the Hindu group Karni Sena announced it would march to the mall to recite the Sundarkand there.
The lawsuit was initially lodged at the request of Lulu Mall executives, who stated that the individuals in the video were not their employees. The mall administration also posted signs across the property on Friday stating, “No religious prayers are permitted at the mall.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Gopal Krishna Choudhary stated, “An FIR was filed on Thursday against unnamed individuals under IPC Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different communities) and 295-A (deliberate conduct designed to offend religious sentiments). The situation is under investigation.”
In the meantime, Hindustan Times said that three persons were stopped at Mall for reportedly attempting to recite Sundarkand inside. They were detained at the mall’s entrance and were members of the Hindu Samaj Party, according to a report quoting police.
The mall was launched on Sunday by the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, and opened by the Abu Dhabi-based Lulu Group, led by the Indian billionaire M. A. Yusuf Ali.
A video that has gone viral on social media and depicts a group of people doing the namaz in an open space in the mall’s shopping area has provoked a significant reaction from right-wing organisations.
The Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha has issued a warning, stating that if namaz is again delivered at the mall, the organisation would protest by chanting the “Hanuman Chalisa.”
In a related statement, the organisation requested the Hindu community to boycott the mall. Since the mall’s establishment, the Hindu organisation asserts, it has been asserted that ‘love jihad’ is being preached there. It was stated that 8 % of the mall’s personnel were Muslim, while 20 & were Hindu women so that love jihad could be initiated.
The administration of Uttar Pradesh, led by Yogi Adityanath, has prohibited namaz and other religious rituals in public spaces, according to the statement. Despite this, individuals performed namaz in Lulu Mall.
Chairman of the Lulu Group Yusuffali MA was also present. Lulu Mall, located on Amar Shaheed Path in Golf City, is home to some of India’s most popular brands. It comprises the enormous LuLu Hypermarket and the family entertainment zone Funtura.
