Allama Iqbal sculpture in Lahore’s park draws public attention for all the wrong reasons

Recently, someone spotted a statue of Allama Iqbal in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park of Lahore and posted its pictures on social media.

What made the sculpture an interesting subject was the fact that it did not appear to resemble the man himself.

 “There’s nothing wrong in this but it doesn’t look like Allama Iqbal,” Laila Tariq pointed out.

Iqabl's sculpture in Gulshan-e-iqbal Lahore, there is nothing wrong about the sculpture except the part that it doesn't really look like Iqbal pic.twitter.com/zuNyrvXrmB

— Laila (@Laila_Taariq) February 1, 2021

 

People were quick to notice this interesting sculpture and the post went viral on social media within few hours.

Some were offended, some trolled, while majority demanded the concerned authorities to replace it as soon as possible.

جناب ولید اقبال صاحب کیا آپ جانتے ہیں یہ کس کا مجسمہ ہے؟ کیا یہ کہیں سے بھی شاعر مشرق کا مجسمہ نظر آتا ہے؟ آپکی حکومت کے خیال میں یہ شاعر مشرق ہیں اور کسی سفارشی سےمجسمہ بنواکر عوام الناس کے لئے اسے گلشن اقبال لاہور میں سجا دیا گیا مجھے تو یہ مجسمہ دیکھ کر بہت افسوس ہوا ہے pic.twitter.com/girwXllzZt

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 2, 2021

Who did this blunder in #GulshanIqbal Park #Lahore.
A cheap tribute 2 a legend like #AllamaIqbal is disgusting.@GovtofPunjabPK @UsmanAKBuzdar, @SHABAZGIL sb please look into this.
It should be removed & a new, good one should be eracted!#عوامی_وزیراعظم_عوام_کےساتھ#HelloMrNiazi pic.twitter.com/LgjSeailFQ

— umar ishaque butt (@capisces) February 2, 2021

What in the name of God & justice , is this abomination ???? Where are all the lawyers in his family , move a petition in the court .This is not our beloved leader #AllamaIqbal by any angle ?? @DCLahore @NasiraIqbal3 sahiba, please do something. https://t.co/UeRP0UFdZG

— Asma Naseem (@Wisevenus) February 1, 2021

This is totally a national embarrassment!
PLEASE HAVE THIS REMOVED!
Learn to respect, not making a reason for making fun!
Who made this?#AllamaIqbal #Lahore pic.twitter.com/KdoGZNvf4d

— MUNIB HAMID (@MunibHamid) February 2, 2021

What you have done with Iqbal's caricature. Shame on you guys.#caricature #onlybreath #AllamaIqbal #iqbal #founder pic.twitter.com/grw6vNqRQY

— Abdullah Chauhdary (@AbdullahCh1998) February 2, 2021

Allama Iqbal’s statue doesn’t surprise me at all ... it’s in line with how we have deformed the country, it’s polity, it’s culture and ideology of its creation. pic.twitter.com/6ekNpxJmpa

— Musadaq Zulqarnain (@MusadaqZ) February 2, 2021

Just saw these pictures saying "They have just unveiled a new statue of Allama Iqbal in Gulshan Park Lahore"Can anyone confirm if this is true...if yes, this is unacceptable ? is this a joke, who approved it?
#AllamaIqbal pic.twitter.com/htnYiZbmit

— TAAKVIEM (Ash-Shazli) (@TAAKVIEM) February 2, 2021

Pakistan rebuilds 500 yr old Eastern Island's Moai statue, in Gulshan Iqbal Park Lahore. pic.twitter.com/jPfY8yb7Wv

— Shaan (@Shanyousaf6) February 2, 2021

Allama iqbal's sculpture ?
ThankGod he is not alive to see this ?‍♀️? pic.twitter.com/Y1Pv0ARr29

— Ramsha Mir (@ramsha_mir) February 1, 2021

New statue of Allama Iqbal at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore.

The thought is nice but I think had he seen this, he might have had another 'shikwa.' pic.twitter.com/borQ2ie6xP

— Sikandar Taimoor Langah (@LangahTaimoor) February 2, 2021

 

However, it was later reported that the sculpture was made in good faith by the park’s gardeners as a tribute to the national poet.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Directorate General Parks and Horticulture Authority (DG PHA)

A comprehensive inquiry should be held to identify responsible people and disciplinary action should be taken against them,” he said.