‘The matter was not handled properly’, Congress high command is upset with CM Sukhu over Shimla mosque controversy

A mosque in Sanjauli area of ​​Shimla has become the center of controversy. Hindu organizations and local people are opposing the construction of four new floors on the mosque. They claim that these floors have been built illegally and are demanding its demolition. On September 11, Hindus protested on a large scale in Sanjauli, Shimla with this demand. There were clashes between the protesters and the security personnel. The crowd broke the barricades. The police used water cannon and lathicharge to disperse the people.

According to Congress sources, the party high command has pulled up Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu over the mosque dispute. The party high command believes that the issue has been unnecessarily allowed to escalate, giving the BJP an opportunity to polarize Himachal Pradesh, where the Muslim population is only two percent. The Congress high command said that the Sukhu government could have ensured that the district administration would not let the matter go out of control. The CM has been asked to ensure that the BJP is not able to take political advantage of this issue.

Also read: Sanjauli Mosque dispute: Shimla Vyapar Mandal called for a ‘bandh’ against police action during the protest

Hindu community staged a fierce protest in Sanjauli

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Sabzi Mandi Dhali on 11 September, raising slogans like ‘Himachal ne thana hai, duvbhumi ko bachana hai’, ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Hindu Ekta Zindabad’. Ignoring the prohibitory orders (Section 163 of the Indian Penal Code) imposed in Shimla and the administration’s warning of action, the protesters marched towards Sanjauli to register their protest and broke the barricades erected near the Dhali tunnel. As soon as the protesters reached Sanjauli, they also broke another barricade erected near the mosque.

Also read: Fear of illegal construction in the mosque or change in demography… Why was there chaos on the streets of Shimla for 5 hours?

If the construction is illegal, we will demolish it: Vikramaditya Singh

The police resorted to lathicharge and water cannons to disperse them. Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh appealed to the people to maintain peace and said that the state government will take necessary legal action on the mosque dispute. He said, ‘This is not a matter of one structure, but there are more than four-five thousand such structures. The case is pending in the Municipal Commissioner’s court for the last 14 years. Efforts will be made to expedite its hearing. If illegal construction is proved, we will demolish it.’

Also read: Vandalism, lathicharge, water cannon in Shimla… Know what is the mosque dispute over which Hindu organizations are angry

This The law will do its work in the matter: CM Sukhu

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Jai Ram Thakur also appealed to the protesters not to violate the prohibitory orders. He warned the government, “The matter of unauthorized mosque is very sensitive and should be dealt with seriously. Because the tension can spread to other parts of the state as well.” Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the issue should not be given a political color. He said, “As far as the mosque is concerned, the matter of unauthorized or illegal construction of some floors is pending in the court of the Municipal Corporation Commissioner. The law will do its work in this matter. We will request the court of the Municipal Corporation Commissioner for a quick decision on this issue.”