Probe into Hindu outfit’s claim of abandoned house being used as Mosque in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Tension: Hindu Group Claims Abandoned House Turned into Mosque Illegally, Investigation Ordered.

Shibani Singh | HENB |  Haldwani | Oct 10, 2024:: An investigation has been launched after members of a Hindu organization staged a protest outside the sub-divisional magistrate’s office in Berinag, Uttarakhand, demanding the removal of an allegedly illegal mosque operating in a residential building.

Protesters in Berinag, Uttarakhand, are claiming that an abandoned house has been illegally converted into a mosque, with people offering Namaz inside. This allegation led the Hindu outfit, Rashtriya Sewa Sangathan, to stage a protest outside the Berinag Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office on October 6, demanding the removal of the mosque.

The protesters argue that the house was abandoned and had not been used for any religious purposes before. They claim that its conversion into a mosque was done without permission, sparking tensions in the area. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the matter.

Berinag, a picturesque town in the Pithoragarh district, is known for its serene surroundings and panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. The town has a rich cultural heritage, with several Hindu temples and sites showcasing its history.

The issue highlights the complexities surrounding religious conversions in Islam and the need for dialogue and understanding. The local authorities will likely work to resolve the issue, ensuring peace and harmony in the community without hampering Berinag’s Hindu culture and heritage.

An inquiry has been ordered into the allegation after the organisation submitted a memorandum, according to Pithoragarh district magistrate Vinod Girish Goswami.

“We have demanded the removal of the illegal mosque. If it continues to run, we will have to resort to a nationwide agitation against it,” PTI quoted Himanshu Joshi, founder-president of the outfit as saying.

Officials said that a case under section 196/2 of BNS (promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion) has also been registered against Rashtriya Sewa Sanghathan members after they showed the mosque live on social media some time ago.

Local Muslim residents assert that an old house, owned by Azim Khan of Haldwani, has served as a prayer space for approximately 100 Muslim families for the past five years. Additionally, a portion of the house operates as a madrasa. Although the exterior appears to be a typical residential home, the interior has been converted into a mosque, according to community members.

But, the local Hindus have raised concerns about an abandoned property owned by Azim Khan, claiming it’s being used as an illegal mosque and madrasa for the past five months. They allege that Muslims from outside the area are frequenting the property, causing public disturbances, eve-teasing, and security concerns. Specifically, they mention that on Fridays, Muslims from the locality and outsiders are creating a ruckus, frightening Hindu minor boys and girls.

The situation in Uttarakhand is complex and sensitive. Hindus in the state have expressed concerns about what they perceive as Islamic transformation through various means, including Land Jihad, Mazar Jihad, Mosque Jihad, and religious conversion. These concerns have led to a resolution to halt Islamic constructions in Hindu localities.

In fact, establishment of a Mosque in any area, ensures its control in its increasing radius for annihilating non-Muslims from the area. Hindus of Uttrakhand are not ready to accept Islamic invasion anymore in the state popularly known as ‘Dev-Bhoomi’.

Once, Turkey’s PM Erdogan publicly read an Islamic poem including the lines: “The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers…”

These are the inner-voice of the Majority Muslims which explain the dangerous reality of a Mosque. Mosques are being used as arsenal, a place of fanatic congregation and Jihadi hot-bed.
…

_Inputs from PTI.