Shimla Mosque Row: The controversy surrounding the Sanjauli mosque near Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla, over allegations of illegal construction, is escalating with each passing day. Thursday saw a a three-hour bandh in Shimla during which shops and business establishments remained closed in protest against the police action on protesters on Wednesday whp were demanding demolition of the illegal portion of the mosque. At least 10 people were injured on Wednesday as the protesters clashed with security personnel, broke barricades put up by the police, and pelted stones, while the police used lathicharge and water cannons to disperse them.
Amid the rising tensions, Imam Shahzad, representing the mosque, has made a public appeal for peace and unity, with the Muslim side offering to demolish the illegal portions. Speaking exclusively to ABP News, the Imam emphasised the need for mutual understanding and brotherhood, and urged Hindu organisations to help resolve the dispute without politicising the issue.
On their meeting with Shimla Municipal Commissioner Bhupender Kumar Attri, and their proposal, Imam Shahzad explained: "We have done this for love. There should be feelings of love and affection among the people. The court's decision will come. While that will be acceptable anyways, we have taken this initiative before that so peace prevails."
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'We Will Demolish It Ourselves'
The dispute over the mosque has drawn widespread attention, with concerns that the matter was taking a political turn. However, the mosque committee has expressed its commitment to resolving the issue amicably. "We have jointly decided to end the dispute. It should not be given a political twist because we have to live with love and affection," said the Imam, expressing sorrow over the recent clashes that resulted in injuries to both civilians and police personnel.
The controversy, which began with a confrontation between two groups, has since snowballed, with calls from Hindu organisations for the demolition of unauthorised portions of the mosque.
Speaking about the demand, Imam Shahzad said: "If the administration says that the two floors of the mosque should be demolished, we will demolish it ourselves. They should mark how much is unauthorised in it." He added that the mosque committee had not anticipated the situation would escalate to this extent, but expressed gratitude for the administration's role in managing the situation.
During the protests, the Imam and other mosque members remained inside the mosque. "We were praying to Allah to end this matter. The administration had its own work. Those who came to protest had their own work. Everyone did their job. But the sad thing is that women and children were injured. Some police personnel were also injured," he said.
Imam Shahzad concluded his remarks with a plea to Hindu organisations, asking them to accept the mosque's willingness to rectify any unauthorised construction and to bring the dispute to a peaceful end. "Our Himachal is very peaceful and will remain so. I don't know why this small matter became such a big issue. The illegal part of the mosque, we will demolish only that. Hindu organizations should now accept it and end this dispute."
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on the court’s upcoming decision that is expected to determine the future of the Sanjauli mosque.