Demolish the illegal construction of mosque, else the administration will do it : Municipal Court of Himachal Pradesh warns mosque management

• Hindus protest demanding action against illegal construction

• Police use water cannons to disperse Hindus

• Curfew imposed in the area

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) – On 13th September, the Mandi Municipal Corporation Commissioner H S Rana’s Court ordered the demolition of the illegally constructed portion of the city mosque. The Court granted the mosque management 30 days to carry out the demolition of the unauthorised structure, with a warning that if they failed to comply, the administration itself would proceed with the demolition. The original one-story mosque will not be affected, but the two-story structure built without permission will be demolished. Meanwhile, Muslims have started demolishing an illegal wall of the mosque they had built near Jail Road from 12th September. The wall encroaching on the road is now being removed by the Muslims themselves.

🚨 Warning from Municipal Court of #HimachalPradesh to Mosque Management!

🎯 Demolish the illegal construction of the mosque ; else, the administration shall demolish it!

📌 30-day deadline given

📌Curfew imposed in the area

📌Police use water cannons to disperse protesting… pic.twitter.com/DYTWMcsbIz

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) September 13, 2024

Protest by Hindus for action against illegal mosque

While the case concerning the mosque’s illegal construction was being heard in the Municipal Court, Hindu organisations and residents of Mandi staged a protest outside, demanding the demolition of the mosque. (Why should Hindus have to demand this ? Why doesn’t the administration take down illegal constructions on its own ? – Editor). Tensions rose as the protest continued. The case had been ongoing in the Municipal Court since June 2024. After a failed discussion with the administration on 12th September, Hindu organisations resumed their protest on 13th September. Protesters chanted slogans like ‘Himachal ne thana hai, Devbhoomi ko bachana hai’ (Himachal has resolved to save the land of Gods) and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. Police used water cannons to disperse the Hindu protesters. Following the commotion, the Deputy Commissioner announced that the mosque with illegal construction would be sealed. District Magistrate Apoorv Devgan has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in seven wards of Mandi city.

The Government will act as per the law : CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu

“It has come to light that illegal construction took place in Mandi. A committee will be formed to resolve this dispute. Himachal Pradesh is a peaceful State where all religions are respected. No religion, caste, or sect will be exempted from the law. Our Government will take action according to the law. Illegal constructions will not be tolerated, and those violating the rules will face legal action,” said Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

Editorial Perspectives

• Was the administration blind to the illegal construction ? The responsible officials should be imprisoned for life.

• The fact that Muslims built a two-story illegal structure shows that they do not fear the law, Police, administration, or Government. Why are Congress and so-called liberals silent on this ?