Protests in Sunni Demand Action Against Illegal Mosque Construction and Verification of Migrants

Shimla – Hindu organizations staged a protest in Sunni, Shimla Rural, on Saturday, demanding the removal of illegal construction at the mosque in Sanjauli and verification of migrants in the area. The protest led to market shutdowns across the state for two to three hours, with demonstrations occurring at various places. Hundreds of people gathered in Sunni Bazaar, raising slogans against outsiders. After the protest, the participants rallied through the market, including women, and converged at Sunni Chowk where leaders of Hindu organizations addressed the crowd.

The protesters expressed strong opposition to the recent police action during the Sanjauli protest, condemning the lathi charge on peaceful demonstrators. They also demanded the withdrawal of cases registered against those involved in the Sanjauli protest, warning that statewide protests would follow if the demands were not met soon. The rally called for the verification of people coming from other states and raised concerns over the mosque constructed in Sunni.

At Sunni Chowk, the protesters also recited the Hanuman Chalisa before proceeding to submit a memorandum at the Tehsildar’s office. To ensure security, Shimla’s ADM (Law & Order) arrived at the site, and the police conducted videography of the entire protest. The police heightened security around the mosque and closed all entry points, placing barricades on the main roads. Most shops in the area remained closed, and additional police forces were deployed from nearby battalions.