Controversy Over Unauthorized Mosque Construction in Shimla’s Sanjauli Deepens
3 min read
Protestors Threaten Statewide Agitation
Shimla, September 5: The peaceful hill town of Shimla is facing increasing communal tensions over the construction of an allegedly unauthorized mosque in Sanjauli. What began as a local protest has now escalated into a significant issue, with Hindu organizations and residents coming together to demand the mosque’s demolition, citing illegal construction.
Led by Congress Councillor Narendra Thakur and Hindu Jagran Manch leader Kamal Gautam, the protests have intensified. Gautam issued an ultimatum to the administration, stating that if no action is taken within two days, Hindus from all over Himachal Pradesh will gather in Sanjauli to demolish the mosque themselves. Thousands of protesters took to the streets today, chanting slogans and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa outside the mosque. The demonstrators argue that the mosque was illegally expanded into a five-story structure, whereas it originally housed only two families in a much smaller building.
The situation has drawn in political leaders, with Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh acknowledging that the mosque’s construction is illegal and that the matter has been stuck in municipal court since 2010. Singh, who visited the protest at Chaura Maidan, expressed his concern about the influx of people from outside states, many of whom lack police verification. He emphasized that this poses a security threat to Shimla.
However, the government’s stance appears divided. While Anirudh Singh supports the protestors’ demands, local MLA Harish Janartha has criticized the demonstrations, reflecting the growing political complexity of the issue. Adding to this, Minister Vikramaditya Singh responded to comments made by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, saying, “Himachal Pradesh is a state of love and harmony, and there is no place for hatred. Owaisi’s statements are politically motivated.”
Protestors have also raised concerns about the increasing number of unregistered street vendors from other states, claiming that these outsiders are disrupting the local economy. Rumit Thakur, president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, emphasized that their demands go beyond the mosque; they also seek strict action against illegal vendors and the registration of migrant workers.
The ongoing unrest in Sanjauli follows the recent Malyana incident, where a Hindu businessman was allegedly attacked by members of a specific community, further fueling communal tensions. Many locals believe the accused were hiding in the mosque, a claim that has only added to the demand for its demolition.
Amid this growing unrest, many Muslim shop owners in Sanjauli have closed their businesses, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Long-time Shimla resident J.R. Nanda, 84, recalled how Shimla remained peaceful even during the Partition of 1947. “I never thought I’d witness this kind of division in Shimla,” he said.
With a crucial court hearing scheduled for Saturday, the future of the mosque remains uncertain. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has promised legal action, stressing that no unauthorized construction will be tolerated, but he also warned protestors against taking the law into their own hands. “We respect peaceful protests, but no one will be allowed to disrupt law and order in the state,” he said.
The controversy has turned into a political battleground, with the BJP viewing the unrest as an opportunity to gain support, while Congress finds itself in a delicate position, balancing its significant Muslim vote bank with the growing anger among the Hindu majority.
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are on the upcoming court ruling, which could determine not only the fate of the Sanjauli mosque but also the direction of Shimla’s communal harmony.
