Himachal Pradesh is experiencing protests as thousands of Hindus have recently taken to the streets. According to them the reason behind the protest is they believe there is a deliberate effort to change the demographics of their predominantly Hindu state. A specific incident has sparked these protests, as many Hindus feel that there is a hidden agenda to Islamise their society and alter its demographic makeup. At least 46 Muslim vendors in Shimla were found using Aadhaar Cards with the same date of birth. Most of these vendors were outsiders who had recently come to Himachal Pradesh in the pretext of starting a business.

According to a Jagran report, 46 of the 88 Muslim vendors in Shimla have the same birthdate. Local business owners and residents took to the streets in protest, complaining to the police and demanding that the identities of the vendors be confirmed. Thousands of people took to the streets, protesting that this was an intentional attempt to change the demographics of a state where Hindus predominate. Many people protested against vendors who were accused of using their identities as a cover to operate their businesses, primarily due to security concerns. Nonetheless, this is not the first time that the state has experienced protests.

Large-scale demonstrations have been taking place in Himachal Pradesh, also known as "Devabhoomi" due to its associations with Hindu mythology and religion, for the past few weeks. However, this "Devabhoomi" is under threat due to population shifts, cultural degradation, unpermitted construction, and land occupation.

The issue has been a source of conflict for decades, but it gained attention recently when there were protests against unauthorised construction which the locals claim is an illegal mosque. Although the problem has existed for over 14 years, it turned violent when some Muslim youths attacked Hindu traders with rods and sticks in the Malyana area on August 30. During the attack, 37-year-old businessman Vikram Singh suffered serious injuries, and four other traders were hurt. This incident increased tensions, leading the local Hindu community to protest against both the attack and the illegal mosque.

The Waqf Board in a submission told a Shimla court that it owns the mosque and their discussion was only about its further develoment. The Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court heard both sides in the mosque case and has scheduled the next hearing for October 5th.

The issue was discussed in the state assembly, leading to disagreements among leaders of the ruling Congress party. MLA Harish Janartha stated that the mosque was built on land owned by the Waqf Board before 1960. He mentioned that three illegal stories were added in 2010 but were later removed. Janartha claimed that both outsiders and local Muslims used the mosque and suggested that some elements made the situation worse.

The attack and the protests that followed spread across the state, leading people in other areas to raise their voices against the illegal construction on seized lands. After the events in Sanjauli, many locals in Himachal's Mandi district took to the streets to protest against an unauthorised structure built near a mosque.

In Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, a large protest broke out against an illegal mosque called Jama Masjid, located on Shriram Street in Akhara Bazaar. Many Hindus participated in the protest, claiming the mosque was built on land owned by the Khadi and Village Industries Board, making it illegal. This situation follows recent cases of illegal mosques reported in Shimla’s Sanjauli area.

Protesters demanded action against the illegal construction of a mosque by marching from Ramshila’s Hanuman Temple to Dhalpur Chowk. Members of Hindu Jagran Manch and other Hindu groups started reciting the Hanuman Chalisa about 10 meters away from the illegal mosque site. According to these Hindu organisations, the Kullu Municipal Council has acknowledged that the mosque was built illegally on land owned by Khadi and Village Industries, based on ongoing correspondence since 2017.

As per the claims, The Jama Masjid was built in Akhara Bazaar between 1990 and 1991, originally with just one floor. It was reconstructed in 2017 and now has four floors. During the initial construction, Hindu organisations objected to the mosque, claiming it was illegal and that the building didn't adhere to the fixed map passed for it. These organisations also expressed concerns that large numbers of outsiders come to Himachal Pradesh without registration, engaging in anti-social activities that threaten the local culture and security.

For those protesting against illegal mosques and unauthorised structures, the issue is not just about breaking the law in the name of religious freedom. It’s also about the serious threat they feel to their religious and cultural identity from a faith that seeks to convert others.