A large crowd gathered outside the Sanjauli Masjid in Shimla on Thursday, protesting against what they claim to be the illegal construction of the mosque. The demonstrators, which included local residents, BJP workers, and members of various Hindu organisations, voiced their opposition, holding the Tricolour and raising slogans.

Ankush Chauhan, a BJP worker and one of the protestors, demanded the mosque's demolition, stating, "This mosque has been built illegally. All four floors of the mosque are illegal. If we construct anything illegally, it is immediately demolished. It has been 10 years, but no action has been taken on the mosque. This illegal mosque should be demolished." He emphasised that the protest was not politically motivated, saying, "The entire Hindu, Sanatani community is protesting. It has nothing to do with the BJP or the Congress. Hindu Samaj is fighting against this."

Chauhan also mentioned that the protests were triggered by an incident earlier in the week. "The reason behind the protests now is that on Tuesday, some Muslim men attacked one of our Hindu brothers in which he sustained injuries. This protest is the result of that incident," he said, calling for an investigation into the increasing Muslim population in the state, particularly regarding the presence of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants.

Himachal Pradesh state minister Anirudh Singh addressed concerns over the presence of migrants in the state. He highlighted the peaceful coexistence of the Muslim community for generations but expressed concern over the influx of people from other states. "There is no difference between Hindus and Muslims among those coming from other states. The real concern is that we must verify those coming to Himachal Pradesh to prevent any security risks," Singh said.

Singh also acknowledged the arrival of people from other countries and stressed the need for thorough verification. He added, "The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh focuses on development and ensures that every action is lawful. This isn’t an issue of the temple or mosque but rather of legal and illegal constructions."

The Sanjauli mosque controversy has sparked a political debate in the state, with leaders from both the BJP and Congress exchanging accusations in the assembly over the issue.

Image source: HT