The controversy over the Sanjauli Mosque in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is not coming to an end. For the past several days, protests are going on calling the mosque illegal. Due to this, there is a tense situation in the area. Meanwhile, the Muslim Welfare Committee on Thursday urged the Municipal Corporation Commissioner to seal the unauthorized part of the mosque and also offered to demolish it as per the court order. This committee includes the Imam of the mosque and members of the Waqf Board and the Mosque Management Committee.
A delegation of the committee made this request by submitting a memorandum to Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhupendra Atri and said that the Muslims living in the area are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh and this step is being taken to maintain harmony and brotherhood. Welfare Committee member Mufti Mohammad Shafi Qasmi said, “We have sought permission from the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner to demolish the unauthorized part of the mosque located in Sanjauli.”
According to PTI, the Imam of Sanjauli Mosque said, “There is no pressure on us, we have been living here for decades and this decision has been taken as a Himachali. We want to live in peace and brotherhood should remain.”
Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhupendra Atri confirmed receipt of the memorandum.
On the other hand, members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, who had called for protests against the unauthorised construction in the mosque, welcomed the move. Committee member Vijay Sharma said, “We welcome this move of the Muslim community and we will be the first to greet them for taking this initiative in the larger interest.”
Let us tell you that Hindu organizations demanding demolition of the disputed structure in the mosque and registration of outsiders coming to the state had called for Sanjauli bandh on Wednesday. The hearing of the case of unauthorized or illegal construction of some floors in the mosque is going on in the Municipal Corporation Court. Last Thursday, Hindu groups had protested on a large scale in the Vidhan Sabha and Chowda Maidan around Sanjauli regarding their demands.
What is the Sanjauli Mosque dispute?
Construction work started in the premises of the mosque after 2007 with the aim of expanding it. In 2010, a case was registered against the mosque, terming it illegal. However, four new floors were added to the mosque in the last 14 years. The matter was heard 44 times by the Municipal Corporation, but no solution was found. Last month, a group of people claimed that the mosque was being expanded on their land and a conflict situation arose between two communities over this. After this dispute, this five-storey mosque became the center of local and political discussion.
Follow us On Social Media Google News and Twitter/X