Tunday Kababi Dragged into Waqf Property Dispute in Lucknow

Lucknow : A major controversy has surfaced in the heart of Lucknow’s old city after prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad accused the legendary Tunday Kababi of encroaching on Waqf-protected mosque property in the historic Chowk area.

Maulana Jawwad alleged that the famous eatery, situated near Akbari Gate, had engaged in unauthorized, "tunnel-like" construction on land governed by the Shia Waqf Board. Calling the activity an illegal expansion onto sacred grounds, the cleric formally appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding a high-level government inquiry into the matter.

Owner Refutes Encroachment Claims
The owners of the iconic culinary landmark have firmly dismissed the accusations. Abu Bakar Qureshi, owner of Tunday Kababi, clarified that the outlet has operated from the exact same footprint since its establishment by his grandfather in 1905.

"The shop has remained at the same location since 1905. We have only done cleaning, maintenance, and renovation work. No new construction has ever taken place inside the premises," Qureshi stated, adding that the cleric may have been misinformed regarding the ongoing upkeep.

Mosque Caretaker Clarifies Maintenance Work
Providing further context, the mutawalli (caretaker) of the mosque, Maulana Saif Abbas, corroborated the owner's account and flatly rejected allegations of illegal expansion or underground tunneling.

According to Abbas:

• The Structure: The mosque building is over two centuries old and features residential units on the upper levels.
• The Issue: Persistent water seepage from the aging upper floors was damaging the shop space below.
• The Action: Following a fresh lease agreement finalized four months ago, the shop owner obtained official permission to carry out basic restoration to patch leaks and reinforce damaged areas with cement.

Abbas emphasized that the structural layout of the mosque remains entirely intact, confirming that no breach of Waqf regulations or property lines has occurred. Local authorities are expected to review the site to ensure full regulatory compliance and resolve the public dispute.

(Indiatvnews)