Legal experts have pointed out that all three demands of the Hindu group raise serious constitutional and legal concerns
SHIMLA — The district administration in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, appeared to bow to mounting pressure from Hindu organisations after days of protests demanding the demolition of the historic Sanjauli Mosque and a halt to Muslim worship at the site.
The issue escalated last Friday when a group of women from a Hindu organisation prevented Muslims from offering Friday prayers at the mosque. The video of the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing widespread criticism and concerns over deteriorating communal harmony in the region.
Despite the protests being widely seen as illegal and unconstitutional, the administration on Friday (21 November) reportedly accepted all key demands of the Hindu groups in written form. Following this, the protesting groups suspended their large-scale agitation and declared it a “historic victory for the Sanatani community.”
The administration is said to have agreed to:
• Cut the electricity and water supply to the mosque
• Withdraw the FIR filed against members of Hindu organisations involved in last week’s violence
• Begin legal proceedings to demolish the mosque
• Form an eight-member committee comprising members of the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti and district officials
Legal experts have pointed out that all three demands—cutting essential utilities, withdrawing police cases under pressure, and initiating demolition—raise serious constitutional and legal concerns.
The Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti has said that although the fast-unto-death has been suspended, the relay hunger strike will continue until all administrative procedures are completed. Members held a victory march in Sanjauli on Friday to celebrate what they described as a “major achievement” for their movement.
VHP leader Kamal Gautam, confirmed that officials from the administration visited them and “accepted all demands.” He added that the government has assured them that the FIR against activists would be withdrawn and that formal processes for demolition had begun.
The protest began four days earlier after Hindu organisations accused the administration of failing to implement an October 30 Shimla Court order, which reportedly directed the authorities to cut water and electricity connections to the mosque and seal the structure until the case was resolved.
As protests intensified, the police filed an FIR against several individuals for violence and obstruction. This FIR, however, is now set to be withdrawn following the administration’s written assurance.
Hindu organisations have called a review meeting on 29 November to finalise their next course of action. They say they will continue to monitor the administration’s compliance.
Civil society groups, constitutional experts, and minority organisations have expressed concern that the actions of the administration could set a dangerous precedent. They argue that bowing to mob pressure violates the rule of law and threatens the fragile social fabric of the hill state.
The Himachal Pradesh government has not yet issued an official statement on the controversy.
