Lucknow: 80-plus Hindu professor to host his 50th majlis this year

LUCKNOW: When professor PS Gupta began teaching chemistry at Shia PG College more than half a century ago, it was not just his teaching skills that were noticed and praised by students and colleagues.
The professor held a majlis (religious congregation) on the campus in 1970 and earned the sobriquet 'Majlis-wale Guptaji'. The tradition has been continuing ever since.
An octogenarian today, the retired teacher holds on to his special title by organising the college majlis, where the tragedy of Karbala is recalled with pathos on the eve of the last day of Muharram every year. He may be old and frail, but the sermons he organises about the martyrs keep people riveted to their seats. This year, the majlis will be held on Tuesday, November 5.
"I had faith in Imam Husain (Prophet Muhammad's grandson). Shia Muslims and Hindus have a lot of cultural similarities, which is why I was drawn to the history of Karbala. I wanted to organise a majlis and when I ran the idea by my colleagues at college, they were more than happy to hear it," said the resident of Rajajipuram.
"I made all arrangements for the majlis - from getting the sound system to readying the campus for the solemn event. It was well-attended the first time and many people come even today. They adore me as Majlis-wale Guptaji," he added.
For a few years now, Gupta's eldest son has been sharing the majlis responsibility with his ageing father.
The congregation, which was initially presided over by Limca record-holding cleric Maulana Mirza Mohammar Athar, was later taken over by his brother Maulana Mirza Mohammad Ashfaq. For the past couple of years, Maulana Athar's son Maulana Mirza Yasoob Abbas has been delivering the sermon at the majlis.
"I remember my father telling us that professor Gupta popped the idea (about he organising a majlis) in the staff room one day and everyone agreed. Thus began a tradition," said Maulana Yasoob Abbas.
"There was one time when Diwali and the last day of Muharram fell on the same day. The professor gave the solemn ceremony priority over Diwali celebrations at home, which he attended after the sermon," recalled the cleric.
Posters, banners and pamphlets for the majlis continue to be printed in the name of professor Gupta till date. A few of his Hindu friends answer his clarion call to attend the congregation as well.