Protests by Hindu organisations and local residents intensify over alleged illegal construction ahead of court hearing
Team Clarion
SHIMLA – The controversy surrounding a mosque in the Sanjauli locality of this capital city of Himachal Pradesh has highlighted a rift in the ruling Congress over the legality of the place of worship.
Hindu organisations and local residents are insisting on the demolition of the mosque alleging that it has been built illegally. They were emboldened by Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh’s assertion that the mosque needs to be demolished. “This illegal structure must go. We cannot allow such constructions to remain, especially when they threaten to disrupt peace in the area,” Singh stated during a heated assembly debate on Wednesday.
In contrast, local MLA Harish Janartha took a more measured approach, criticising the external influence on local matters. “It is wrong to bring outside tension into Shimla Urban. The matter is in court, and such decisions should not be made on the streets,” Janartha said. He also added that the mosque is an old structure but agreed that if any illegal construction had taken place, it would need to be addressed legally.
The public fallout between Singh and Janartha has led to further tensions within the Congress party. While Singh insists on immediate action against the mosque, Janartha remains cautious, calling for calm until the legal process plays out. The debate grew particularly intense when Singh, speaking in the assembly under Rule 62, criticised the Municipal Corporation for not disconnecting the water and electricity supply to the mosque.
The dispute, which began following an assault incident, has since escalated into a significant political and communal issue.
It involved a 37-year-old man, Vikram Singh, who was reportedly assaulted by a group led by Mohammad Gulnawaz on August 30. Singh suffered severe head injuries, requiring 14 stitches, and filed a complaint with the police. Six individuals, including minors, have since been arrested. “The situation escalated quickly, and now the mosque is at the centre of this growing controversy,” said a local source.
Locals and Hindu organisations allege that the accused hid in the mosque after the attack, prompting a large protest demanding action. In response, senior officials intervened to calm the situation.
The Commissioner’s Court is scheduled to hear the matter on Saturday, and authorities have urged protesters to refrain from further action until then.
During the heated assembly debate, Minister Vikram Singh also raised concerns about individuals “coming from outside and spoiling the environment,” even mentioning terms like ‘Love Jihad’ and claiming that those involved in the altercation came from Bangladesh.
Amid rising tensions, local Muslim leaders have called for calm and emphasised the importance of resolving the matter through legal channels. “This mosque has been a part of our community for decades,” said Mohammad Yaseen, a respected elder from the area. “We understand that some people have concerns, but it is essential that we follow the legal process and not allow emotions to take over. Demolishing the mosque without a fair hearing would only create more divisions.”
Another resident, Aslam Qureshi, voiced frustration over how the issue has been politicised. “This matter could have been resolved peacefully if it weren’t for outsiders trying to inflame tensions. We appeal to all parties to let the court decide the mosque’s fate instead of turning this into a communal issue. Our community has lived here peacefully for years, and we want to maintain that harmony.”
Sanjauli resident Abdul Kareem expressed concern over the safety and well-being of the Muslim community in the area. “We are very disturbed by the protests. Many of us fear that this issue is being blown out of proportion and that it could lead to further communal tensions. We want to continue living in peace and appeal to the authorities to ensure our safety while resolving this issue fairly.”
Despite calls for calm from Muslim community leaders, Hindu organisations continue their protests, demanding immediate demolition of the mosque. “We will not stop until action is taken,” said a protest leader. Meanwhile, armed police patrols have been deployed in the area to maintain order as the situation remains volatile.
As the community grapples with these tensions, residents expressed concern over the growing communal rift. “This is the first time we’ve seen such tension in our area. It’s worrying for all of us,” said a long-time resident of Sanjauli.