Massive protest held against alleged illegal construction of mosque in Shimla

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 5 (ANI): A large number of people gathered outside the Sanjauli Masjid in Shimla to protest against the alleged illegal construction of the Mosque on Thursday. The protestors included locals, party workers from the BJP, and various members of Hindu organizations.
Protestors were seen raising slogans along with holding the tricolour in their hands, against the illegal construction. One of the protestors, Ankush Chauhan, who is also a BJP worker demanded demolition of the mosque and called it “illegal”.

“This mosque has been built illegally. The 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,” said Chauhan.
He further said that the whole Hindu community is present in the protests.

Chauhan said, “The entire Hindu, Sanatani community is protesting. It has nothing to do with BJP or Congress. Hindu Samaj is fighting against this. The reason behind the protests is that on the day before yesterday, some Muslim men attacked one of our Hindu brothers in which he sustained injuries and this protest is a result of that incident. An investigation should be done on the increasing number of Muslims in the state, whether they are Rohingyas or Bangladeshis.”
Earlier, Regarding the presence of immigrants in Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh pointed out that the Muslim community has peacefully coexisted in the state for generations. However, he expressed concern over the recent influx of people from other states, emphasizing that the primary issue is ensuring proper verification of newcomers.

“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 explained.

Singh also noted the arrival of individuals from other countries and suggested the need for a thorough investigation into the background of these newcomers. He called for vigilance in ensuring the safety and security of the region.
“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,” said Singh.
Singh continued to stress the importance of proper verification, warning of the potential risks posed by unchecked migration.
“This is not about Hindus or Muslims, it’s about ensuring the law is followed. People who come to Himachal Pradesh for business or other purposes must go through proper checks. Even if they have a criminal,” he added.
The Sanjauli Mosque row continues to stir political debate in Himachal Pradesh, with both BJP and Congress leaders engaging in a blame game on the floor or the assembly.