Politics

Shimla Mosque Controversy: Muslim Panel Proposes to Demolish Unauthorized Structure Amid Violent Protests

On Thursday, a delegation of the Masjid committee submitted a memorandum to Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhupender Kumar Attri with a demand to seal the unauthorized part of the mosque structure in Sanjauli from the civic body. The committee also said that the demolition of this part would be done by them only.

The development came after a violent clash erupted on Wednesday when protesters, demanding demolition of the unauthorized mosque extension, clashed with security personnel.

The protesters, breaking through the barricades, pelted stones, prompting police to respond with water canons and baton charges to control the mob. As many as 10 persons, including police and women, were injured in the standoff.

Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh said he is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation and claimed the government is keeping a close watch on the developments.

He said both he and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu are getting in touch with the central leadership including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party in-charge Rajiv Shukla in order to ensure that there was no further deterioration of law and order.

The protesters, who had been chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hindu Ekta Zindabad”, congregated at Sabzi Mandi Dhalli in hundreds and began a march towards ward Sanjauli market in defiance of prohibitory orders and administration warnings.

The mob breached the barricades near the Dhalli tunnel and later at the Sanjauli Chowk. A second barricade was breached near the mosque as the standoff continued to worsen, following which the police acted with baton charges and water cannons.

The police detained a number of protesters including Hindu Jagran Manch Secretary Kamal Gautam. Soon, the police restored the balance and erected the barricade once again, but the demonstrators continued their protests shouting slogans against dissatisfaction with the administration.

The clash led to immense inconvenience as the students remained stuck in schools in Sanjauli, Dhalli and its vicinity. The residents also slammed the administration for not issuing orders to close the schools in view of the demonstration.