Himachal Hindus protest over illegal mosques in Hindu areas. Big rally in Shimla on Sept 30.

Mosque Row Escalates in Himachal Pradesh: Sanjauli, Mandi and Now Another at Kasumpti. Why So Many Mosques in Hindu Areas with All Illegalities.

Hindutva organizations in Himachal Pradesh are planning a large rally in Shimla on September 30 to protest the growing number of mosques in Hindu areas, citing illegalities and Muslim influx into Hindu localities.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Shimla | Sept 22, 2024:: Residents and various Hindu organizations in Shimla demand demolition of another alleged illegal mosque, citing concerns over gatherings of unidentified non-locals.

Rachna Sharma, Shimla’s former deputy mayor and BJP leader, led a delegation that submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Tuesday, seeking the demolition of the mosque in Kasumpti area.

The delegation, led by Rachna Sharma, also met with Shimla Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Attri.

Rachna Sharma alleged the mosque stands on central government land. She cited former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s refusal to attend its 2016-17 inauguration, reportedly due to its illegal construction. Sharma further stated that mosque authorities, having lost their case in Shimla’s municipal court last year, have since filed an appeal.

Rachna Sharma, former mayor, cited the Waqf Board Act, stating a mosque requires at least 40 resident Muslim families. She claimed Kasumpti and surrounding areas, including New Shimla, Beoliya, and Malyana, fall short of this requirement. Sharma expressed concerns about unknown individuals frequenting the Kasumpti mosque, particularly on Fridays.

Protests have swept Himachal Pradesh for days, sparked by ‘illegal’ mosques and an influx of outsiders. The Sanjauli mosque controversy began with demands to demolish illegally built portions. Following a massive protest, the mosque committee agreed to remove the unauthorized sections. Similar protests erupted in Mandi over a mosque built on encroached PWD land, prompting the committee to dismantle the illegal extension after receiving a government notice.

Protests have plagued Himachal Pradesh for days, sparked by ‘illegal’ mosques and an influx of outsiders. The Sanjauli mosque controversy began with demands to demolish unauthorized portions. A massive protest led the mosque committee to offer removal. Similar protests in Mandi targeted a mosque built on encroached PWD land, prompting removal after authorities intervened. The underlying question remains: why are illegal mosques built in Hindu areas, allegedly with a sinister ‘Land Jihad’ intent?

Hindutva organizations in Himachal Pradesh are planning a large rally in Shimla on September 30 to protest the growing number of mosques in Hindu areas, citing illegalities and Muslim influx into Hindu localities. Interestingly, many of these mosques are constructed near Hindu temples, and subsequently, attempts are made to restrict Hindu rituals and practices at these temples.
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__Inputs from Agencies.