Lucknow: In an unexpected and controversial development, hookah bar operators in Lucknow’s Kaisarbagh area have initiated a unique step by appointing members of the transgender community to manage security at their establishments. The move, which has sparked debate, is being seen by some as a progressive step toward inclusion, while others suspect it may be a tactic to deter police crackdowns.
Kaisarbagh, once just a busy marketplace, is now unofficially earning the label of a “smoke-filled nightlife hub.” Late into the night, the area witnesses a surge of young patrons—often minors—indulging in hookah, alcohol, marijuana, obscenity, and loud music, while the law seems to look the other way.
Despite frequent complaints and sporadic police action, illegal hookah bars continue to flourish. On April 30, police carried out a large-scale raid and filed FIRs against several operators. But within hours, the bars were back in business, exposing the lack of sustained enforcement.
On the same night, at around 2:11 AM, a journalist who had been investigating these illicit activities was allegedly followed, nearly abducted, and attacked near Globe Café in Hussainganj. According to the journalist, the attackers—posing as lawyers—had access to his name, photo, and phone number, reportedly obtained from the local police station.
Shockingly, sources allege that some self-proclaimed journalists were also involved, seen delivering pizza to the station around 1 AM, possibly for influential individuals linked to the hookah mafia. If true, this points to a dangerous nexus between rogue elements and law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the appointment of transgender individuals for security duties at hookah bars has added a new layer to the unfolding saga. According to insiders, this move was made following recent police raids—perhaps as a social shield or a strategy to dissuade forceful police action.
“This step could signal an attempt at inclusivity, but it’s difficult to ignore the timing and motives behind it,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous. “Is it really about empowerment, or just another smokescreen?”
Further complicating the matter are claims that several of these hookah bars are backed by politically influential individuals, allegedly linked to a prominent political party. If proven true, it raises concerns about political protection and lawlessness in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s capital.
Kaisarbagh Kotwali and the Khundari Bazaar outpost are now being mockingly described by locals as: “Where there’s police surveillance, there’s hookah indulgence.”
Unanswered Questions That Linger in the Smoke:
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Is Lucknow Police leaking journalists’ identities to criminals?
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Do hookah mafias enjoy greater importance than the media in the eyes of local authorities?
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Is the “Smart City” vision being diluted by unchecked addiction and criminal patronage?
The attack on the journalist has intensified calls for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to intervene. Activists and media professionals are demanding strict action against illegal hookah bars and stronger protection laws for journalists who risk their lives to expose the truth.
If honest reporting is now a death sentence, the fourth pillar of democracy may soon need more than just press cards—it may need bodyguards and bulletproof vests.
The time to act is now.
