Sanjauli mosque row: Why are Hindu groups protesting in Shimla?

How did the protest start?

The five-storeyed mosque made its way into local and political discourse after a brawl erupted last month involving a group of men said to be its “occupants”.

On August 30,  after half a dozen people belonging to the minority community allegedly attacked a businessman and some other traders in Malyana area with rods and sticks injuring four of them. The businessman, Yashpal Singh, was reportedly from Malyana in Kasumpti assembly near Shimla.

A case was registered against Gulnawaz (32), Sarik (20), Saif Ali (23), Rohit (23), Rihan (17) and Samir (17) and Rihan. The accused hail from  Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, while one Rihan is from Dehradun.

Hindu bodies protest

Hindu right bodies last week  staged a massive protest at Chaura maidan in the vicinity of the Vidhan Sabha, demanding the demolition of an "illegal" mosque. People gathered in Malyana, an area outside Sanjauli, and demanded the demolition of a mosque there.

“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 a BJP worker participating in the protest.

Congress seeks probe

The protest comes after Himachal Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh alleged that the mosque in Sanjauli was constructed illegally and demanded an investigation into the construction.

"They started the construction without approval. It was an illegal structure. First, one floor was built, then the rest followed," he said, demanding a probe into the construction of the five-storey mosque.

"It has become difficult for women to walk in the Sanjauli market, and thefts are occurring... Love Jihad is another serious issue that needs attention and is dangerous for our country and state. Fights are taking place," he added.

Asaduddin Owaisi vs Vikramaditya Singh

Singh’s remarks were met with an immediate backlash from AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi who wondered if the Himachal Pradesh government was being run by the BJP or Congress.

"There is only hatred in Himachal's 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'! In this video, the Himachal minister is speaking the language of the BJP," Owaisi said, sharing Anirudh Singh’s speech.

However, Owaisi was countered by Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh’s Urban Development and PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh who advised against politicization of the issue.

“In the case of the mosque in Sanjauli area of Shimla, every action will be taken as per the law. There is rule of law in Himachal Pradesh and every action here is according to the law. There is no place for communalism in Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

Congress MLAs protest

However, Singh’s remarks a day earlier in the Assembly faced opposition from within as a section of Congress leaders and ministers refused to endorse the former’s position.

Countering the minister’s statement, Congress MLA Harish Janartha said that there was no tension in the area. The mosque, he said, was originally built before 1960 and three additional storeys were "illegally" added in 2010 on Waqf Board land.

The construction of the mosque has been at the centre of a heated debate in Himachal Pradesh. Around 44 hearings in the courts have already taken place regarding the alleged illegal construction, but no final decision has been reached.

Anirudh Singh said the mosque is built on government land and matter has been sub judice for the past 14 years.

‘Can’t take law in own hands’

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu told reporters on Sunday that all residents of the state have the same rights and he has respect for all religions.

"Peaceful protests are permitted but nobody will be allowed to take law into his hands," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)