Uttarkashi: Protest against 'illegal' mosque turns violent, several injured in stone-pelting

There was ample deployment of police forces ahead of the scheduled march on Thursday. (X/Uttarakhand Police)

A protest against a mosque in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi town turned violent on Thursday resulting in injuries to several persons, including policemen.

The incident occured at around 2.30 PM during a protest march under the banner of Sanyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh. The protest march was organised seeking the demolition of a mosque which the protesters claimed was "illegal"

According to the police, the route of the protest march was already decided. However, scuffle and stone-pelting ensued as they tried to break barricades and demanded that they be allowed to take an alternate route towards the mosque.

Stopped from taking a route of their choice, the protesters got agitated and clashed with police. Stone-pelting was also reported during the incident, police said.

On September 6, several members of right-wing groups staged a sit-in protest outside the DM’s office, demanding the mosque’s demolition. They issued a three-day ultimatum to the administration, threatening to demolish the mosque themselves if their demand wasn’t met.

The Sanyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh, a coalition of several outfits, on September 9 submitted another memorandum to DM Meherban Singh Bisht, claiming the mosque was not registered in revenue records and demanding that it be demolished.

Subsequently, the DM formed a committee led by SDM Bhatwari to investigate the matter. The committee upheld the mosque’s legality, saying that it does not occupy government land.

“Some right-wing organisations had given a memorandum to the administration claiming that it is an illegal mosque. As per our records, it is built on registered land and it is not illegal. It is registered in the names of four people. The administration has conveyed the same to these organisations,” said Uttarkashi SP Amit Srivastav.

As per the police, the organisation was permitted to take out the rally from Shri Dev Suman Manch, Hanuman Chowk, pass through the main market, Kali Kamli Dharamshala, before concluding at the Bhatwadi Taxi Stand Ramlila Ground.

The rally was subject to several conditions, including compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on the use of DJ sound systems, a ban on weapons, adherence to the set time (11 am to 12 noon), and a restriction on making controversial statements.