By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Senior Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui inaugurated ‘Farangi Mahli Gate’ near Pata Nala in old city on Saturday. In a clear move to appease minority community, the beautification of the area and gate was announced by Chief Minister Mayawati during previous Eid function in Lucknow.
Addressing the audience, Siddiqui stated that Farangi Mahal has a glorious past and its ulema were in the forefront of independence struggle. The Farangi Mahal’s Islamic seat of learning was established by Allama Nizamuddin Abdul Hai Farangi Mahli. The centre was even visited by Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Shaukat Ali Jauhar during the freedom struggle. They stayed at Farangi Mahal and led the freedom movement in the state.
The new gate has been constructed by PWD at the cost of Rs 38 lakhs which includes one kilometre footpath, entrance and other beautification work. Several dignitories including the descendant of Farangi Mahal, Maulana Abu Taiyyab Farangi Mahali, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, Peerzada Sheikh Rashid Minai, Prof Waliul Haq Ansari and others were also present on the occasion.
In the last four years, Mayawati government has built several parks after Dalit icons. On the completion of four years in power, Mayawati inaugurated several parks on 13th May 2011. Her government has spent several hundred crores on construction of such parks. The Samajik Parivartan Sangrahalay – Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorials Park at Noida near DND flyway is just one of them. Only the ‘stupa’ being constructed at the park with a crowd of statues will cost the exchequer Rs 203 crore.