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Shimla: In a dramatic turn of events, Mosque committee has come out with a reconciliatory initiative and asked authorities to dismantle illegal structure or permit the committee to undertake this task which will restore peace. It is for the first time in history of Himachal when a communal tension flared up over the issue of illegal construction of Mosque in the outskirts areas i.e. Sanjauli of Hills of Queen which has vitiated the peaceful harmony. Hindu organisations today organized a bandh in the city which passed off peacefully.
Police clamped prohibitory orders on Wednesday even as the protestors clashed with police which resorted to lathi charge and used the water canon to regulate the crowd leading to injuries to some agitators and police personnel but now the situation is under control.
Government has deployed six ballion of the police to check incidence of violence.The controversy has created a wedge between Congress party's local MLA, Harish Janartha and rural development minister, Anirudh Singh which has given an opportunity to BJP and Hindu organizations to fish in the troubled waters and demanding demolition of illegal structures.
The protestors were armed with tricolours in their hands raising slogans like "Himachal Ne Thana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai", "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" The mosque controversy in Shimla veers around the construction of a mosque in the Sanjauli area, which locals allege is illegal.
The Waqf Board, however, asserts its ownership rights, and the matter is currently under consideration in the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court, with the next hearing set for October 5.Tension heightened following a violent incident in the nearby Malyana area, prompting authorities to enhance security in the region. Local residents, along with right-wing groups, organized protests, demanding the mosque's demolition. The controversy has also ignited political debates, with some suggesting that the protests are being driven by political motives.
Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has supported the right of the people to protest but appealed to them to do it peacefully without damaging public property. CM’s media advisor, Naresh Chauhan accused BJP of making it a national issue which has got nothing to with Hindu or Muslim tension and it is being heard in the high court.
But one of the ministers, Anirudh, took the stand that the mosque was not built in 1950 but illegal construction started in 2010 under the nose of the municipal corporation hence it should be demolished. But Local Congress MLA ,Janratha is opposed to create any communal tension and favours peaceful solution.
Opposition leader, Jai Ram Thakur has urged the government to find an amicable solution which should be in accordance with wishes of Hindus who are protesting against illegal construction of Mosque. He has condemned lathi charge on the protestors and accused the government of partial behaviour.State BJP chief,Dr Rajiv Bindal lambasted Sukhu government for mishandling the Mosque issue which was an insult to Hindus.
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Tensions in the region were exacerbated by a violent incident in the nearby Malyana area, leading to increased security measures to prevent further unrest. The protests, led by locals and supported by right-wing groups, have demanded the mosque’s demolition, citing concerns over unauthorized construction.
The fallout from this controversy has been significant, both socially and politically. On the social front, the controversy has deepened communal divisions in the area, with concerns over the potential for more clashes. The issue has also drawn attention from political circles, with accusations that the protests are being politically motivated to stoke communal tensions for electoral gains. The incident has turned into a flashpoint, bringing into question local governance, law enforcement, and the influence of political agendas on sensitive religious issues.
The protest against the mosque exploded on August 30 when a group of individuals from the minority community allegedly attacked businessman Yashpal Singh and several other traders in Malyana, using rods and sticks thereby injuring four people . A police case was filed against the accused: Gulnawaz (32), Sarik (20), Saif Ali (23), Rohit (23), and two minors, Rihan (17) and Samir (17). Officials say that most of the accused are from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, one Rihan is from Dehradun. Maulvi of the five-storeyed mosque, has claimed that the structure dates back to 1947 while the extended construction took place after 2007 which is being disputed. The outcome of the court proceedings is likely to shape the future of the controversy, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
The writer is a political analyst and columnist based in Shimla
