Police lathicharge on Hindus demanding the demolition of the mosque, many injured

Protest against the illegal mosque in Shimla escalates

Protests intensify over demolition of five-storey illegal mosque in Shimla’s Sanjauli area

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) – The demand for the demolition of a five-storey illegal mosque in the Sanjauli area of the capital city, Shimla, has intensified. On the morning of 11th September, many Hindus began marching towards the mosque. At that time, the Police arrested Kamal Gautam, the former general secretary of the Hindu Jagran Manch. Angered by this, the Hindus intensified the protest. The Police, in an attempt to stop the Hindus, resorted to lathi charging and fired water cannons. Reports indicate that several Hindus were injured.

1.     The Congress-led Government in the State had turned the area into a military camp to prevent Hindus from protesting against the illegal mosque, with numerous barricades set up.

2.     As soon as the unarmed Hindu protesters reached Sanjauli, the Police began lathi charging them. (Would the Police have reacted the same way if the protest had been led by religious fanatic Muslims ? Hindus conduct peaceful protests, is that why weapons are used against them ? – Editor)

3.     For the past week, the Government has failed to find a resolution to the Sanjauli mosque dispute.

What is the matter ?

On 31st August, a local youth, Yashpal, got into an argument with some Muslim boys. Later, the Muslims attacked Yashpal and seriously injured him. It was later discovered that these boys had taken refuge in the Sanjauli mosque. Hindus gathered and not only demanded action against these boys but also claimed that the mosque itself was illegal. The Police arrested four individuals named Gulnawaz, Sarik, Saif Ali, and Rohit. However, the authorities took a lenient stance on the mosque, which became the focal point of the incident. Local Hindus have alleged that out of the five stories of the mosque, only two are legal. The remaining three stories were built after 2010. The Shimla Municipal Corporation had issued 30-35 notices to the mosque during the construction, yet work continued. The municipal corporation demolished illegal constructions in the surrounding areas but did not take any action on the mosque. Today, this five-story mosque stands in the heart of the city. The Congress Government in the State has washed its hands of the issue, stating that the matter is still pending in Court.

Thousands protest against the illegal mosque in Sanjauli Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Hindus gathered to express concerns, leading to a standoff with police.

Why should Hindus protest ?

Why was illegal construction allowed?

Why wasn’t it stopped earlier? pic.twitter.com/T1LFNw3Xet

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) September 11, 2024

Editorial Perspectives

• The Police, under the Congress Government of Himachal Pradesh, are suppressing Hindus instead of taking action against the illegal mosque.

• When something happens against Muslims, the Police and the judiciary immediately step in to protect them. But now, against an illegal mosque, the authorities do nothing, and when Hindus raise their voices, the Police use lathi on them. Is this the Police’s way of showing their strength ?

• What else can be expected from the Police under Congress Government that passed the Waqf Act to appease Muslims ?