Amid controversy over people offering namaz inside the newly inaugurated Lulu Mall in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the mall authorities lodged a complaint with the local police and put up notices across the property on Friday declaring, "No religious prayers will be permitted in the mall," reported news agency PTI.
Earlier, a statement was released by Sameer Verma, the General Manager of Lulu Mall who said that they do not allow any prayers inside the mall or it's premises.
"Lulu Mall respects all the religions and kind of worshipping is not permitted here. In this regard, we provide strict training to our staff to keep an eye on such incidents," said the mall manager, as reported by ANI.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday detained three people for attempting to recite Sundarkand at Lulu Mall.
The three arrested people belonged to Hindu Samaj Party and were arrested at the mall's entry gate while trying to enter the building, reported ANI.
"Three people were detained from the entry gate of Lulu Mall in Lucknow for allegedly attempting to recite Sundarkand inside the mall premises. Three people of the Hindu Samaj Party were detained at the mall's gate. Currently, there's a peaceful situation," said Rajesh Srivastava, ADCP South, Lucknow to ANI.
An FIR has also been registered against unidentified persons for offering namaz inside the recently inaugurated Lulu Mall in Lucknow, police said.
"One Shishir Chaturvedi from Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has lodged a complaint regarding the reading of namaz at Lulu Mall. Appropriate action will be taken after the investigation," Ajay Pratap Singh, Police Station Incharge, Sushant Golf City, Lucknow said," reported ANI.
A controversy erupted after a video purportedly showing a group of people offering namaz at the mall surfaced on social media.