On Thursday, representatives of a Muslim welfare committee submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Bhupender Kumar Attri, requesting the civic body to seal the unauthorised portion of a mosque in Sanjauli. The committee, which includes the Imam of the mosque, members of the Waqf board, and the mosque management committee, has offered to demolish the illegal portion themselves in accordance with a court order, PTI reported.

The committee's delegation assured Commissioner Attri that the Muslim residents of the area are permanent citizens of Himachal Pradesh and have taken this step to maintain harmony and brotherhood. "We have sought permission from the Shimla municipal commissioner to demolish the unauthorised part of the mosque situated in Sanjauli," said Mufti Mohammad Shafi Kasmi, a member of the welfare committee, as quoted by PTI.

The Imam of the mosque affirmed that the decision was made independently, with no external pressure, emphasising, "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 stay in peace, and brotherhood should prevail."

Commissioner Attri confirmed the receipt of the committee’s request. Vijay Sharma, a member of a local samiti, welcomed the committee’s initiative, stating, "We welcome the move of the Muslim community and would be the first to hug them for taking this initiative in the larger interest."

This development comes a day after protesters clashed with police in Shimla’s Sanjauli area, demanding the demolition of the illegal portion of the mosque. Protesters broke barricades and pelted stones as police used water cannons and batons charged to disperse them. Approximately 10 people, including police officers and women, were injured in the clash.

Members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangarh Committee, which had called for the protest against the unauthorised construction, expressed approval of the Muslim community’s decision. Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh also addressed the situation, stating that the government was closely monitoring developments. "We are in touch with the central leadership. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and I have talked to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party in-charge Rajiv Shukla. They are also concerned that the law-and-order situation should not deteriorate," Singh said.

On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters gathered in Sabzi Mandi Dhalli, raising slogans like "Jai Shri Ram" and "Hindu Ekta Zindabad," and marched towards Sanjauli market, defying prohibitory orders. Despite warnings from authorities, protesters broke through barricades near the Dhalli tunnel and later gathered at Sanjauli Chowk. As the group reached the mosque and broke another barricade, police responded with baton charges and water cannons. Several protesters, including Hindu Jagran Manch secretary Kamal Gautam, were detained.

The unrest also affected local students, as many were stranded in schools in Sanjauli, Dhalli, and nearby areas. Residents expressed frustration with the administration for not ordering school closures despite the anticipated protest, leaving school management awaiting official directions.

Image source: PTI