Iconic Lucknow Imambaras remain locked; tourism hit as Akhilesh still indecisive

Lucknow: In a jolt to the tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh, the gates of the iconic Imambaras in Lucknow continued to remain locked for the 20th day despite an order by the Allahabad High Court directing the state government to open them and restore normal activity.

The monuments of the Nawabi era, arguably the most prominent tourist attractions of Lucknow, have been locked since 4 June by protesting members of the Shia community who have been demanding the removal of the chairman of Shia Central Waqf Board (SCWB). The protest had been organised by Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad Naqvi who, following the court order, said it was not him but the kaum or the community which was responsible for putting up the locks.

Maulana Jawwad also met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Wednesday (24 June) and demanded steps to end the impasse. But the Maulana said later that the chief minister had sought more time to take a decision on the issue.

The chief minister, according to sources, is treading cautiously on the matter as senior cabinet minister Mohammad Azam Khan holds the charge of Waqfs. The SCWB chairman Waseem Rizvi is said to be close to him, and Khan has a long-standing battle with Maulana Jawwad over the issue of Shia Waqf properties.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had on 23 June directed Lucknow’s district magistrate to open the locks of both the Imambaras and ensure their security. The Bada and Chhita Imambara are projected as major attraction by UP Tourism. The Bada, or Asafi Imambara was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1786-91 and is one of the architectural wonders of that era.

Chhota Imambara is also known as Hussainabad Imambara and was built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah (1837-42). It is more ornate in design with gilded dome, several turrets, exquisite chandeliers said to be brought from Belgium, gilt-edged mirrors and colourful stuccos which adorn the interiors.

The Maulana has been alleging that the SCWB chairman Waseem Rizvi was found prima facie guilty of corruption in management of Waqf properties in the state.

Jawwad has demanded Rizvi’s removal from the SCWB post and a CBI inquiry into alleged corruption in the SCWB by Rizvi. Sources in SCWB, on the other hand, allege that Maulana Jawwad had been responsible for large-scale irregularities in Waqf properties in Lucknow involving their rental, lease and transfer.

The Lucknow district administration has been caught in a piquant situation as the issue is not as simple as opening the locks to a monument, and can quickly turn into sectarian strife. Shia men under the banner of different Anjumans (community organisations) are staging a dharna outside the Bada Imambara while Shia women are protesting outside the Chhota Imambara.

Maulana Jawwad also said that he would appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s order directing the district administration to open the locks of Imambaras.

“The members of the Shia community are highly agitated and may not relent even after the administration’s efforts,” he said.

He has also demanded that Islamic (Sharia) laws be implemented in the Imambaras and all commercial activity be stopped immediately. He has been reiterating that the Imambaras were places of religious activity and not public places or places of tourist attraction. He said his agitation was for ensuring that the control of Imambaras got into the hands of religious leaders and there was no political reason for this.

“Political parties may come and go but the Imambaras will remain there. Our struggle on this issue has continued regardless of the party in power in Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

It is only after entering the Bada Imambara gate that visitors can see the huge Asafi Masjid and the labyrinthine Bhul Bhulaiya. Hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit the Imambaras especially on weekends.