Hussaini Gate Escapes Demolition In Kanpur

Muslim Orphanage-Kanpur 
Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

Hussaini Gate of Muslim Yateemkhana (Orphanage) in Kanpur has escaped a bid initiated by some builders to demolish it. Thanks to the initiative taken by Haji Muhammad Salis, General Secretary, All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema Council, the builders had to leave the gate intact in its original form. Due to the pressure exercised by Haji Salis, builders  not only revised design of their map but also renovated the gate. It now stands on Yateemkhana road in its full glory.

The gate that was once the main entrance of Yateemkhana near Parade  Market had come under the threat of demolition recently. It all started when the Managing Committee of Yateemkhana decided to undertake an expansion plan of  the old structure. They entered into builders’ agreement and they started razing the old structures of the orphanage complex. Since Hussaini gate was no longer in use due  to erection of a much larger Gate by Hafiz Abdul Halim Sahib facing the Parade crossing, builders decided to demolish Hussaini gate. They wanted to erect shops and residential complex around the Hussaini gate.

Haji Salis appeared on scene when they tried to demolish Hussaini gate finding its existence as a barrier to their plan. He warned the builders of serious consequences if they demolished the gate.He also garnered support of area residents. The stiff resistance forced the builders to leave the gate intact and they revised their design. They also got painted the gate and it is now an integral part of the expansion plan.

In a chat with me, Haji Salis told me the whole story and said” any harm to Hussaini gate would have been  much disrespectful  to the soul of its builder who had not onkly helped orphanage in  its infancy but also gave it an impressive entrance. The gate may not be in use but it does not grant license to any9me to demolish it. It is a landmark of Kanpur and a part of city’s history would have died had the builders succeeded. I have done nothing extra ordinary .It was my duty to oppose any such move” (Photo Courtesy Google Images)