Malihabad Fort dispute: Lucknow steps up security and PAC deployment ahead of Bakrid

Security has been increased in Lucknow’s Malihabad after a dispute over land locally known as the Malihabad Fort. Police and PAC have been deployed ahead of Bakrid. Local residents, including members of the Pasi community, say outsiders offering namaz escalated tensions and dispute the site’s religious status.

Police increased security in Lucknow’s Malihabad after a land dispute at a site called Malihabad Fort. Officials said extra police and PAC personnel were deployed before Bakrid on Thursday. The move aimed to maintain law and order and stop any incident in the area.

The disagreement involves about 25-30 bighas in Kasmandi, Malihabad. Some local residents, mainly from the Pasi community, said the site links to Maharaja Kansa Pasi. They want it treated as a temple complex, not a mausoleum or mosque. The residents said the issue has continued for nearly one-and-a-half years.

Malihabad Fort dispute centres on namaz and temple claims

Residents alleged tensions rose after outsiders began offering namaz at the site. A local resident toldVideos that the matter was not Hindu-Muslim rivalry. "People should offer namaz in mosques near their homes. Local residents, especially members of the Pasi community, object to outsiders coming here for prayers,\" the resident said.

Another local resident claimed namaz was not offered there earlier. The resident said prayers started only around one-and-a-half years ago. The resident alleged some people were calling the place a mosque. The resident also alleged a nearby structure was being described as a mausoleum.

Malihabad Fort objections raised by Pasi community and Hindu Mahasabha

Locals said they viewed the site as a Shiva temple. They also linked it to the historical legacy of Maharaja Kansa Pasi. On Tuesday, members of the local Pasi community objected to people from outside offering namaz there. Some workers of the Hindu Mahasabha also joined the objections.

A local functionary of the organisation said the fort was dedicated to Maharaja Kansa Pasi. The functionary said the dispute would be taken to court. The functionary demanded the site be recognised as a Shiva temple. The functionary also demanded it be handed over to the Pasi community.

The functionary also sought action against a cleric. The cleric was alleged to be conducting prayers at the site. Police officials said they strengthened deployment due to Bakrid on Thursday. Officials said the goal was to prevent any untoward incident and keep the situation under control.

With inputs from PTI