New Conflict Arises in Sanjauli Mosque Dispute Over Demolition Order

There is a new twist in the Sanjauli Mosque dispute of Himachal Pradesh. The conflict between two Muslim groups regarding the demolition of the mosque is visible. On one hand, Himachal Muslim Organization called the decision of the Municipal Corporation Commissioner to demolish 3 floors wrong. On the other hand, preparations are being made to challenge it in the higher court. Sanjauli Mosque Committee said that we are firm on the decision of the Commissioner, we will demolish the illegal mosque.

Preparations are now being made to challenge the order of the Municipal Corporation Commissioner Court to demolish three illegal floors of the Sanjauli Mosque of Shimla capital. All Himachal Muslim Organization said that these orders will be challenged in the higher court. The leaders of the organization held a meeting in this regard at Baluganj Mosque. At the same time, the mosque committee once again refused to challenge the order of the Commissioner Court.

The state spokesperson of the organization, Nazakat Ali Hashmi, said that this matter has been raised under pressure from various organizations. Under pressure, the committee of Sanjauli Mosque itself had applied to the Municipal Corporation to demolish the illegal construction. The commissioner made the decision based on this application. Hashmi claimed that this decision was beyond facts. The mosque is built on the land of the Waqf Board. It is also present in the revenue records of 125 years. After the number of people offering namaz here increased, the committee took NOC from the Waqf Board to increase its floors. Now the fight between the two parties has been linked to this matter, which is wrong.

He claimed that this mosque was not illegal. An application was made for its map. The Municipal Corporation kept it pending for many years. Hashmi claimed that the people who applied for the demolition of illegal construction on behalf of the committee were not authorized for this. The Municipal Corporation also decided without knowing who is to be made a party in this matter, and who is its owner. He said that now a copy of this decision is awaited. After this, the organization will fight this matter till the Supreme Court.

Rejecting the claims of All Himachal Muslim Organization, Sanjauli Masjid Committee President Mohammad Latif said that the committee stands by its decision. The decision that has come from the Municipal Corporation Commissioner Court is valid. Demolition of illegal floors will start soon. The Municipal Corporation itself had applied for the demolition of illegal construction. The committee is authorized for this. The Waqf Board was also informed about this, and now the Waqf Board is also aware of the decision.

The committee is not aware of any meeting held by the organization and neither do we have anything to do with this meeting. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Shoaib Jamai also reached Shimla last month on this matter. After visiting Sanjauli Masjid, Jamai had claimed that this matter would be raised in the High Court. However, even at that time, the Sanjauli Masjid Committee had distanced itself from the statements of Jamai and now this matter is being blown out of proportion again.