Several women, who were offering 'namaz' at Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid on Saturday night, had to do so in the rain, due to a lack of arrangements for them.
According to reports, the women were offering their first night prayers, during the month of Ramzan, when they were caught in the downpour.
Sharing the pictures, several people on social media criticised the state government for not making arrangements for the women, while also pointing out that the iconic structure was falling into disrepair.
The Times of India reported that the arrangements for the women were the exact opposite for men, who were protected from the heat and the rain, by a temporary structure.
Speaking to TOI, Charminar MLA Syed Ahmed Pasha Qadri, said, “We were not expecting it to rain last night. Installing a temporary structure this year for women was delayed. We are looking into the matter and work on a temporary shelter will begin tonight. Shelters were installed last year and the year before."
The News Minute had earlier reported that the Mecca Masjid itself, a 17th century monument which stands a few metres from the Charminar, had numerous structural problems that required urgent attention.
The main roof of the mosque, and several other places, had developed cracks that caused water seepage during the rains, and could also potentially collapse under pressure.
The state government has made several promises, stating that they would renovate the structure, and even promised Rs 10 crore for fixing the cracks, and installing CCTV cameras.
Many members of the staff also alleged that they were not paid their salaries for two months.
Earlier this month, the Hyderabad police beefed up security across the Old City area, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Mecca Masjid bomb blast on May 18.
On this day in 2007, members belonging to the Hindu militant outfit Abhinav Bharat had allegedly placed two bombs in Mecca Masjid, considered one of the holiest Muslim sites in the city.
They allegedly placed the bombs during Friday prayers, when thousands of people had gathered.
Nine persons were killed in the blast.
As news of the blast spread, several people took to the streets, and turned into vandalising mobs, clashing with the police.
Police resorted to lathi-charge, lobbing of teargas shells, and firing in the air. Five more people were killed in subsequent police firing near the mosque.