The controversy around the construction of a mosque in Sanjauli, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is growing intense every day. On 4th September, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly also witnessed a heated argument as members engaged in a verbal sparring session regarding the building of the mosque. The Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC Shimla) has also come under fire in this case for implementing the construction codes selectively. The matter has led to a dispute amongst leaders of the ruling Congress and heightened communal tension in the state’s capital.
Congress MLA Harish Janartha moved the motion and claimed that there was no tension in the area. He alleged that the mosque was built before 1960 and in 2010 three stories were erected unlawfully on land owned by the Waqf Board. He added that illegally built restrooms were dismantled and that not only outsiders but local Muslims were also staying in the mosque. He alleged that some elements were stirring the situation.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister in Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s cabinet, Anirudh Singh, however, refuted the claims that the mosque was constructed in the 1950s and questioned if permission was taken from the administration to build the mosque. “I am not against any community but they started work in 2010 without permission. Afterwards, unauthorised construction of 2500 square feet was completed. A hearing was again held on the matter in 2012, however, these people didn’t comply. There were four more illegally built floors by 2019. How was the four-story building constructed by 2019 when the lawsuit was still pending in 2010? Where was the administration sleeping,” he asked in the house.
He accused that these works went on unnoticed for almost ten years, right in front of MC Shimla. He added that 6357 square feet of illegal construction has been carried out till now. The minister highlighted, “There’s another surprising detail, the government of Himachal Pradesh owns the land (where the mosque is built). Our administration does not oppose anyone. However, I would ask the chief minister to ascertain the origins of every person involved in this. Women now find it challenging to go around the Sanjauli market. Objectionalibale comments are passed. I have personally witnessed it.” He further stressed, “They have a habit of engaging in illegal activities. They built a 5-storey mosque. This entire matter should be investigated.”
Presented some concerning facts during the Vidhan Sabha Session regarding the illegal construction of a mosque in Shimla. #Shimla #HimachalPradesh #Sanjauli pic.twitter.com/IrfiSlugPt
— Anirudh Singh (@anirudhsinghMLA) September 4, 2024
Anirudh Singh asserted that there are 1900 Muslim Tehbazari and the authorization to practice Tehbazari (license to hawk) should only be granted to citizens of Himachal Pradesh. He urged that the permission allotted to outsiders should be revoked. He reported to know a few Bangladeshi nationals and sought confirmation of their identity. In response to the motion, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that action would be executed as soon as the case was resolved.
“The hearing (in the mosque case) is on 7th September. I want to inform the administration that fourteen years have passed. There have been 44 hearings thus far. They do not even know whose land it is. How can a map be approved on government land? If it belongs to the occupier, then first of all the map should be cancelled. Action should be taken against illegal construction,” he voiced.
The matter has been pending in the Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court since 2010. He urged both sides to act in tolerance and preserve peace within the community. Communal harmony has been negatively impacted by the tension surrounding the mosque. “We must proceed with caution on this issue. We respect everyone’s sentiments and will act with justice. The government will take action per the law. Our state is Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods). Politics should not be played in the name of religion. Let the law take its course,” Vikramaditya Singh conveyed. 44 hearings have been held about the illegal building, but no decision has been made as of yet.
“I don’t have much information. If someone has done illegal construction, then strict action will be taken,” claimed Jagat Singh Negi Horticulture, Revenue and Tribal Minister of the state who seemed to steer clear of the dispute
The debate was started by Balbir Verma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who urged that the mosque’s four illegal floors be dismantled and all operations beneath it cease to protect the sentiments of the local community’s Muslims. He explained that the people of Sanjauli had protested against the unauthorized development inside the mosque. On 1st September, a sizable Hindu crowd gathered in Sanjauli to demonstrate against the construction and demand that the unapproved edifice be demolished.
Anirudh Singh also expressed concern over love jihad and noted that robberies in the Sanjauli market area were on the rise. “It has become difficult for women to walk in the Sanjauli market, and thefts are occurring. Love Jihad is another serious issue that needs attention and is dangerous for our country and state. Fights are taking place. Did our local people start the violence? This too has to be probed. I request that the chief minister verify everyone who comes to Himachal Pradesh for employment.”
What triggered the matter
On the night of 30th August, 37-year-old businessman Vikram Singh was seriously injured in an altercation that took place in the Malyana region by half a dozen people belonging to the minority community who attacked him with rods and sticks and also injured four other traders. The perpetrators, including two minors, were swiftly taken into custody by the police, who are currently looking into the situation. The accused sought sanctuary within the mosque to elude the police, which sparked protests outside the building and further fueled the charges that the mosque was illegal. The mosque’s demolition has been advocated by several locals and Hindu organizations.
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, the superintendent of police in Shimla, implored the demonstrators to keep the peace and stated that the case involving the attack on the businessman would fall under the category of attempted murder. He mentioned that an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank had taken over the case’s investigation and that immigrants from other states would required to be registered.
Almost five hundred individuals from various areas of the city took part in the protest, voicing their worries about the growing number of migrants from the minority group in Shimla. They also called for the police to verify and register these “outsiders.” Senior district administration representatives arrived at the scene to calm the protestors. The officials acknowledged that a part of the structure built on Waqf Board’s land was “illegal.”
A conflict has also emerged between MLA Harish Janartha, who is advocating for the mosque and Anirudh Singh who stands by the protests. The comments made by the minister prompted a heated debate in the assembly and garnered support from BJP Lawmakers as it also threw light on the corporation’s negligence in enforcing construction laws.
