Protest in Shimla Over Illegal Mosque Construction: Hindu Organizations Demand Demolition, Police Use Lathi-Charge and Water Cannons

The Hindu organization Devbhoomi held a protest in the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, on Wednesday, demanding the demolition of the illegal construction of a mosque.

The mosque is located in Sanjauli, Shimla, and the road to it passes through the Dhalli Tunnel. The organization has been protesting since the morning. Protesters recited the Hanuman Chalisa on the road and chanted slogans of “Jai Shri Ram.”

Later, they broke through police barricades. To control the crowd, the police resorted to lathi-charge twice and used water cannons. In the stone-pelting incident, one protester and one police officer were injured.

The Sanjauli mosque was built before 1947. When the construction of its permanent structure began in 2010, complaints were lodged with the municipal corporation about illegal construction. The mosque now has five stories. The municipal corporation has issued orders to demolish the illegal constructions 35 times.

The current dispute began on August 31, when a clash occurred between two groups. Afterward, Hindu organizations held protests on September 1 and 5, demanding the demolition of the illegal construction of the mosque.

Several Hindu Leaders Detained, Area Monitored by Drones

In Sanjauli, the police have taken Kamal Gautam, the leader of the Hindu Jagran Manch, into custody. Hindu organizations claim that around a dozen of their leaders have been arrested. Traffic near the Dhalli Tunnel has been halted, and the entire area is being monitored by drones.

Section 144 Imposed in Shimla, Police Conduct Flag March

DC Anupam Kashyap has imposed Section 144 in Sanjauli, Shimla. Under this order, gatherings of five or more people and carrying weapons are prohibited from 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM. To maintain peace in Sanjauli, the police conducted a flag march on Tuesday night.

Government and private offices, schools, and markets will remain fully open. No one is permitted to protest, and the use of loudspeakers has also been banned.

Dispute Began in 2010

The mosque in Sanjauli was built before 1947 and was originally a makeshift structure. The construction of the building began in 2010, and a complaint regarding illegal construction was filed with the municipal corporation in the same year. 

A case related to this issue has been ongoing in the Commissioner’s Court since 2010. By 2024, a five-story building was constructed at this site. The municipal corporation has issued orders to halt illegal construction 35 times. In 2023, the corporation demolished the mosque’s toilet facilities.

Court Orders Status Report Submission

In response to attacks on individuals, Hindu organizations have become agitated. They staged protests in Sanjauli on September 1 and at Chouda Maidan on September 5. Following this, the 45th hearing took place in the Commissioner’s Court on September 7. 

The Wakf Board presented the ownership documents in court. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 5 and has instructed the concerned Junior Engineer (JE) to submit a new status report.

Imam States: Mosque Was Built Before 1947

The imam of the mosque, Shahzad, stated that the mosque existed before 1947. Originally, the mosque was a temporary structure and two stories high. Due to difficulties in performing prayers outside, the community collected donations and began constructing the mosque.

The land belongs to the Wakf Board, and a case regarding the mosque’s second floor is ongoing in court. The Wakf Board is fighting this legal battle, and whatever decision the law reaches will be accepted by everyone.

CM Sukhu: No One Is Allowed to Take the Law into Their Own Hands

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu stated, “The administration is monitoring the situation closely. There is no ban on peaceful protests. We respect all communities. No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands. 

It is inappropriate to politicize this matter. A committee has been formed within the government. Legal action will be taken regarding the mosque as per the law.”

Protesters Issued 2-Day Ultimatum

On Thursday, September 5, local residents along with various organizations took to the streets, demanding the demolition of the illegal construction of the mosque. The protesters issued a 2-day ultimatum for their demand to be met.

Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh also visited the protest site. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Congress government in Himachal, stating that former minister Anirudh Singh was speaking the language of the BJP.

Dispute Escalated After Assault on Individual

The dispute intensified after some locals alleged that on the evening of August 31, members of a specific community assaulted a local individual near the Sanjauli mosque. Following the complaint, the police arrested six suspects. 

After this incident, the issue gained momentum, and now Hindu organizations, along with many local residents, are firm in their demand for the demolition of the mosque.

Minister States in Assembly: Rohingyas Have Not Arrived Here

Minister Anirudh Singh addressed the assembly session, stating that there is growing anger among the people due to the mosque in Sanjauli. He questioned whether the new individuals arriving daily from a specific community were Rohingya Muslims, adding that some of them are recognized as Bangladeshis. 

He pointed out that when local residents build illegal structures, they are demolished, yet the multi-story mosque in Sanjauli, constructed without approval, remains standing.

He questioned the administration’s role during the construction of the mosque, highlighting that 6,057 square feet of illegal construction had been completed. He also raised concerns about why the electricity and water supply to the structure were not cut off. 

Singh further stated that it has become difficult for women to walk in the marketplace due to increasing crimes such as theft, “love jihad,” and other offenses, demanding an investigation into the matter.