Tensions Ease as Local Muslim Committee Offers to Demolish Unauthorized Part of Sanjauli Mosque in Shimla

Recently, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, the local people created a ruckus over the demolition of the illegal part of the Sanjauli Mosque. A crowd of hundreds of protesters marched to Sanjauli market, raising slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Hindu Ekta Zindabad'. Many people were injured in the clash between the two sides. The police lathi-charged to disperse the crowd. Now a new twist has come to the fore in this matter, the local Muslim Welfare Committee on Thursday urged the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner to seal the unauthorized part of the disputed mosque and also offered to demolish it as per the court order. The committee includes the Imam of the mosque and members of the Waqf Board and the Mosque Management Committee.

According to a PTI report, a delegation of the committee made this request in a memorandum submitted to Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Atri and said that the Muslims living in the area are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh and the committee is taking this step to maintain harmony and brotherhood. Mufti Mohammad Shafi Qasmi, a member of the Kalyan Samiti, said, "We have sought permission from the Shimla Municipal Commissioner to demolish the unauthorised portion of the mosque located in Sanjauli." The Imam of Sanjauli Masjid said, "There is no pressure on us, we have been living here for decades and this decision has been taken as a Himachali. We want to live in peace and brotherhood should prevail."

Atri confirmed receiving the memorandum. Members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, who called for protests against unauthorised construction in the mosque, welcomed the move. Committee member Vijay Sharma said, "We welcome the move of the Muslim community and we will be the first to greet them for taking this initiative in the larger interest."

Hindu organisations, demanding the demolition of the disputed structure in the mosque and registration of outsiders coming to the state, had called for a Sanjauli bandh on Wednesday. The case of unauthorised or illegal construction of some floors in the mosque is being heard in the Municipal Corporation court. Last Thursday, Hindu groups staged a massive protest at the Vidhan Sabha and Chaura Maidan in and around Sanjauli to press for their demands.