Authorities in Shimla have significantly bolstered security around the Sanjauli mosque, a structure recently declared illegal by the courts. This move comes ahead of the crucial Friday prayers and amidst escalating demands from a local group, the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, to disconnect the mosque's water and electricity supplies.
Hunger Strike and Escalating Demands
Members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti have been staging an indefinite hunger strike for the past three days outside the Sanjauli police station. Their primary demand is for the local administration to act on the court's ruling and sever the utility connections to the mosque. The protestors have issued a stark warning: if their demands are not met by Friday, they will block traffic movement at the busy Sanjauli chowk.
Madan Thakur, the Samiti's Convener, expressed frustration over the administration's delay. "It has almost been a month since the mosque was declared illegal, but the local administration is yet to seal the structure," he stated from the protest site.
Another protestor, Vikas Thapta, clarified their position, saying, "We can't stop anyone from practising his/her religious rights... But why the namaz at a disputed site? This is not permissible even in Islam." He reiterated the threat of a traffic jam if the administration fails to act.
Uncertainty Among Worshippers and Police Response
The situation has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for Muslim worshippers in the area. Mohammed Latif, president of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee, confirmed that people have been calling him to inquire about the safety of attending Friday prayers. "I told them to decide on their own," he said, acknowledging the police security arrangements in place. The mosque's Maulvi, Maulana Shahzad Alam, declined to comment on the sensitive matter.
Meanwhile, the police are taking no chances. Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi assured that his force would not allow any unlawful activity in Sanjauli. "We will not allow any unlawful activity in the Sanjauli area," he asserted. He pointed out that the protestors' demands fall under the jurisdiction of the district administration, but emphasized that public harmony would not be disturbed.
He confirmed that additional police forces have been deployed as a preventive measure. "Any antisocial elements attempting to disrupt the peace will be dealt with strictly," the SP warned.
A Long-Standing Legal Controversy
The current standoff is the latest chapter in a long-standing legal dispute concerning the Sanjauli mosque. The controversy dates back nearly three years when the Municipal Corporation Court and later the District Court ruled that portions of the mosque were constructed without the necessary approvals. These sections were subsequently categorized as illegal extensions.
Since the court's pronouncement, the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti has been persistently campaigning for the removal of what they term an "encroached structure". Their demands include the immediate cessation of all religious activities at the site and the disconnection of basic utilities like water and electricity, leading to the current tense impasse in the hill station.
