India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Amid rising tensions over the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla, a Muslim welfare committee took a significant step on Thursday, September 12. They urged the municipal commissioner to seal the unauthorized sections of the mosque and offered to demolish them as per a court order. This panel includes the mosque’s imam, members of the waqf board, and the mosque management committee. In their appeal to Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Attri, they emphasized that the local Muslim residents are long-standing members of the Himachal Pradesh community and stressed their intention to maintain peace and harmony.
Mufti Mohammad Shafi Kasmi, a member of the committee, stated, “We have requested the Shimla municipal commissioner to allow us to demolish the unauthorized portions of the mosque located in Sanjauli.” The mosque’s imam echoed this sentiment, expressing that the decision was made with a sense of belonging and a desire for peaceful coexistence. “We have lived here for decades, and this decision reflects our commitment to peace and communal harmony,” the imam noted.
Municipal Commissioner Attri confirmed receiving the request. Meanwhile, members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangarh Committee, which had earlier protested against the unauthorized construction, welcomed the initiative. Vijay Sharma, a committee member, said, “We applaud the Muslim community’s decision and are prepared to support them in this matter, recognizing their commitment to the greater good.”
This move comes after Hindu organizations had called for a Sanjauli bandh on September 11, demanding the removal of the disputed structure and stricter regulations for non-residents. Protests by Hindu groups had also taken place the previous week at Chaura Maidan and other locations, further intensifying the situation. The municipal corporation is currently addressing the legal issues surrounding the unauthorized construction.
