A mosque in Shimla has become a bone of contention between two communities. Hindu organisations and locals protested for about 5:30 hours in Shimla’s Sanjauli area on Wednesday, demanding the demolition of the structure. They claim that it is an ‘illegal construction’. During this, the protesters also clashed with the police. The protesters raised slogans like ‘Himachal ne thana hai, devbhoomi ko bachana hai’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’. The police resorted to lathicharge and water cannon to disperse the crowd.
This five-storey mosque located in Sanjauli sub-division of Shimla district came into the limelight last month when a group of people claimed that the mosque was being expanded illegally and a situation of conflict arose between two communities over this. On August 30, half a dozen people of the minority community allegedly attacked businessman Yashpal Singh and some others with rods and sticks in Malyana area, in which four were injured. Businessman Yashpal Singh is reportedly a resident of Malyana in Kasumpti assembly constituency near Shimla.
Accused of giving shelter to outsiders in the mosque
A case has been registered against Gulnawaz (32), Sariq (20), Saif Ali (23), Rohit (23), Rihan (17) and Sameer (17). Five of the accused are from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, while Rihan is from Dehradun. Right-wing organisations are protesting at Chaura Maidan near the Vidhan Sabha demanding the demolition of the mosque. Kamal Gautam, president of the Himachal unit of the Hindu Jagran Manch, has claimed that the mosque is being used to shelter ‘outsiders’. The purpose behind this is to change the demography of Sanjauli.
Earlier this month, Yashpal Singh, along with Congress councillors from Kasumpti assembly seat, BJP workers and locals of Sanjauli, gathered outside the mosque and started a protest. They claimed that four floors of the mosque were constructed illegally. They demanded the administration to raid the mosque, arrest those named in the case and demolish the structure. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap assured action and sought a report from the civic body on the legality of the structure.
Congress leader also raised questions on the legality of the mosque
Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Aniruddh Singh also raised questions on the legality of the mosque. He said, ‘The mosque is built on government land and the matter is pending in the court for the last 14 years. Construction started without approval. It was an illegal structure. First one floor was built, then four more floors were built. It has become difficult for women to walk in Sanjauli market. Thefts are taking place. Fights are taking place. Love Jihad is another serious issue that needs attention and it is dangerous for our country and state.’
A case was filed in 2010 declaring the mosque illegal
Maulvi Shahzad Imam of the five-storey mosque told the media that the structure dates back to 1947, while the extended construction took place after 2007. A case was filed against the mosque in 2010, terming it illegal. However, four new floors were added to the mosque in the last 14 years. While the local municipal court has heard the case 44 times, it has not been able to reach a solution. It has fixed October 5 as the next date of hearing in the case.
Waqf Board claims- the mosque is built on our land
The Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board has told the court that the land on which the mosque is located belongs to it and the extended construction has been done as per the rules. However, the Waqf Board has failed to submit the necessary documents to prove its claims. The court has asked the Waqf Board and the mosque committee how a one-storey mosque became a five-storey one. Advocate Jagat Pal, appearing on behalf of the locals, said that he was forced to get involved in the issue as it has been pending in the Municipal Commissioner’s court for the last 14 years. The Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board has been made a party only in 2023.
If the construction is illegal, we will demolish it: Vikramaditya Singh
On this issue, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that people have the right to protest, but they should express their protest peacefully and without damaging public property. CM Sukhu had also said that the local municipal court is hearing the issue of alleged illegal construction in Sanjauli mosque and the law will do its job. Vikramaditya Singh, a minister in the Congress government of Himachal Pradesh, said that the matter of the disputed mosque is in court. If the construction is found to be illegal, it will be demolished.
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