Former UP CM Mayawati’s parks and memorials in Lucknow will now turn into venues for weddings. A proposal to this effect was recently discussed and approved in a meeting chaired by the UP chief secretary.
According to official sources, the government has decided against building schools and hospitals in the vacant spaces in these parks and memorials since that would acquire political overtones and generate unnecessary controversy.
“We now plan to utilise the open spaces by letting them out on rent for weddings and other functions including religious discourses and exhibitions. This would be done without disturbing the existing structures and will also generate additional income that will be spent in maintenance of the parks and memorials,” the official said.
The government plans to improve the lighting in the memorials and structures in these parks so that they present an enticing backdrop for various events.
“The bronze animals in the Kanshi Ram Green Eco Garden will be highlighted and better lighting facilities will be set up in the Smriti Upvan and the Ramabai Sthal. A portion of the Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal will also be rented out for functions,” the official added.
He further said that since there was an acute shortage of wedding venues in Lucknow and private owners charged huge sums during the peak wedding season, opening up these parks for the purpose would resolve the crisis to a large extent besides bring in revenue.
The government’s decision, meanwhile, has already stirred a hornet’s next among BSP followers.
Sudhir Gautam, a young BSP activist, said that even the thought of allowing weddings to take place in these parks and memorials was nothing short of blasphemy. “All the parks are dedicated to the memory of dalit icons and how can the government even think of allowing weddings to take place in a memorial? If they are so keen, then they should open up the Lohia Park for weddings in the coming season. We will not allow the Samajwadi Party to insult our icons in this manner and the first wedding that is held there will face our protests,” he said.