Onika Maheshwari/New Delhi

Pujari Lalmani Shukla of Lakshmi Narayan Temple, located in Jafrabad locality of northeast Delhi, was planning the reconstruction of the temple, for which he had provided his services for 23 years. It was in a dilapidated state and required urgent repairs.

Being situated in a Muslim locality, the temple could not be reconstructed without the cooperation of the locals.

Lalmani Shukla told Hindustan Live vlog,“We somehow raised the money, but the real help came from our Muslim brothers and local MLA Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed. The MLA clearly said – 'Pandit ji, you get it build, let me know in case you face any problem. I am with you.'”

Priest Lalmani Shukla speaking to media

Recently, the temple was rebuilt, and the local Muslim community contributed to this reconstruction.

Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed, MLA from Seelampur, not only provided financial support but also ensured that there was no hindrance in the work.

He said, "My father, Mateen Ahmed, always taught us that humanity is above everything else. This temple is a cultural heritage of our area, and its construction is a message of brotherhood."

Interestingly, a few years ago, the Northeastern area of Delhi saw a communal riot. Today, the same area is giving a message of peace and religious unity.

AAP MLA Choudhary Zubair Ahmed

Locals say that the Lakshmi Narayan temple was built in 1957. Over time, the temple became so dilapidated that its roofs started collapsing, and it was abandoned since offering Puja inside the sanctum sanctorum was risky.

The temple management committee decided to rebuild it.

Since it’s located in a thickly populated area, mostly Muslims - the committee members appealed to the locals for cooperation.

The Muslim neighbours were the first to extend a helping hand.

Lalmani Shukla says, "Had our Muslim brothers not given support, perhaps, we would not have completed it so quickly. When the construction material was to be transported through the narrow lane, Muslim families offered passage through their houses. They provided water from their submersible pumps for construction. Even the prasad on the day of idol installation was made at the house of Bittu (a Local Muslim), and we all organised a bhandara (community meals)."

Devotees throng the temple on the day of its inauguration

Resident Akram Khan said, "There has never been any religious difference in our locality. Be it a temple or a mosque, all these are part of our common identity. When we came to know that the condition of the temple is bad, we immediately decided to help."

After the reconstruction, a grand event of idol installation and havan-puja was organized. On this day, people from both Hindu and Muslim communities sat together, took prasad, and gave the message of brotherhood. Temple committee president Ramkumar Pandey said, "This is not just the reconstruction of the temple, but a victory of love and cooperation in the society."

MLA Zubair Ahmed also attended the function.

A few days after the construction of the temple, MLA Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed started the 'Sadbhavna Kanwad Seva Camp' on July 16.

Delhi's Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Atishi inaugurated it. Atishi said, "This camp and the reconstruction of the temple are a befitting reply to those who spread hatred in the name of religion. The real India is where temples, mosques, and gurudwaras stand together."

Devotees praying inside the Laxmi Narayan Temple, Jafrabad

AAP MLA Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed said that this camp was started by his father, Mateen Ahmed, in 1994. Every year, the Muslim community provides food, water, and shelter to the devotees of Shiva. Zubair says, "It is easy to spread hatred in the name of religion, but spreading the message of love is the real service."

The local people do not consider the reconstruction of the temple as just a religious event. It is a cultural message that diversity is the real strength of Delhi. When Hindus and Muslims build a temple together in a Muslim-dominated area like Jafrabad, it becomes an inspiring example for the whole country.

An elderly resident said, "We saw how Hindu and Muslim brothers were together lifting bricks, filling water, and preparing prasad to build the temple. This scene was no less than a festival."

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Delhi's history has always been one of shared culture and brotherhood. Be it the streets of Old Delhi or the area of Seelampur-Jafrabad, both temples and mosques have equal importance here. This reconstruction of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a part of that culture.