The Rashtriya Sewa Sangathan claims that the mosque was established without proper legal authorisation, violating land and building use regulations
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A place of worship in a house owned by a Muslim in Berinag, a hill station in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, has become a bone of contention with the right-wing Rashtriya Sewa Sangathan members opposing the use of a residential place as a mosque.
Describing the place as an “illegal mosque” the Hindu outfit’s members staged a protest outside the SDM’s office in Berinag.
They demanded the removal of the ‘illegal mosque’ claiming the house, abandoned but owned by a man named Azim, has been converted into a mosque without authorisation.
The mosque has reportedly been used by the Muslim community for over 25 years. A madrasa is also being run in the mosque.
Authorities have launched an investigation following the protest.
The controversy stems from the alleged conversion of the house into a mosque for offering daily prayers. From the outside, the building appears as a regular residential property, but locals say it has been altered internally to serve as a mosque for about 100 Muslim families in the area. A part of the house also functions as a madrasa.
The Rashtriya Sewa Sangathan claims that the mosque was established without proper legal authorisation, violating land and building use regulations. The organisation has threatened a nationwide protest if the mosque is not removed, according to media reports.
Himanshu Joshi, the founder-president of the group, stated that the organisation’s efforts are aimed at preventing the illegal use of properties for religious purposes.
After receiving a memorandum from the protesters, the Pithoragarh District Magistrate Vinod Girish Goswami ordered an inquiry into the allegations. A case has also been filed under Section 196/2 BNS for promoting enmity between religious groups after members of the organisation live-streamed the mosque on social media.