At Lucknow University, Hindu students formed a human chain to support Muslim peers praying outdoors after the Lal Baradari mosque was sealed over safety concerns.

A striking display of interfaith solidarity unfolded at Lucknow University after authorities sealed the mosque inside the historic Lal Baradari building, citing its deteriorating condition and potential risk of collapse.

With access to the structure restricted for safety reasons, Muslim students offered prayers in the open after shifting barricades placed around the site. In a powerful gesture, several Hindu students stood around them, forming a human chain to ensure the prayers proceeded peacefully. Videos of the moment quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention.

The administration’s move to close the mosque was described as precautionary, aimed at preventing any untoward incident due to the building’s fragile state. Despite initial protests, the situation remained calm, with police present to maintain order.

The episode has been widely seen as a reflection of Lucknow’s long-standing Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — a cultural ethos symbolising communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims. At a time when tensions can escalate quickly, students on campus appeared determined to send a different message: coexistence over conflict.