Shimla mosque row: Locals and police clash amid protests over alleged illegal construction at mosque

PTC News Desk: Shimla witnessed tense scenes on Wednesday as locals clashed with police during a protest against alleged illegal construction at a mosque complex in the Sanjauli area. The protest, which attracted significant public attention, turned chaotic when demonstrators defied prohibitory orders and faced off with security forces.

Visuals from the scene showed protesters forcefully toppling police barricades, prompting security personnel to respond with a lathicharge and water cannons in an effort to disperse the growing crowd. Chants of "Himachal Ne Thaana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai" (Himachal has resolved to protect the land of the gods) and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" (Victory to Mother India) echoed through the streets as tensions flared.

The march was organised to protest the alleged illegal construction of additional floors within the mosque complex, a move that has sparked controversy in Shimla’s Sanjauli area. Despite the escalating unrest, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the importance of peaceful protests, urging the public to avoid damaging public property. "There have never been communal riots in our state. Himachal is known as Devbhoomi. Currently, the situation is normal and public life is running smoothly. Protesting is the right of the people, but everything should happen within the limits of the law," Sukhu stated.

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Rohit Thakur, a Himachal Pradesh minister, echoed Sukhu’s sentiments, reiterating the need for law-abiding demonstrations. He further noted that prohibitory orders had been issued in the area to prevent violence, but the situation remained calm.

Chief Minister Sukhu also pointed out that the dispute over the alleged illegal construction at the mosque was currently being heard by a local municipal court. He assured the public that legal procedures would be followed, and the issue would be resolved through the courts.

Shimla’s Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, confirmed that meetings had been held with stakeholders in an attempt to keep the protests peaceful. “We held meetings with the stakeholders and are hopeful that the protest would be peaceful," Gandhi said, appealing for calm as tensions rose in the community.

Despite these efforts, many protesters defied the prohibitory orders that had been issued the day before, which were put in place in response to the increasing unrest over the construction. Some Hindu organizations had also called for a shutdown in the area, further inflaming the situation.

Ahead of the protest, police were stationed heavily around the Dhalli tunnel, a key point near the protest site. Security personnel conducted vehicle checks at police posts, ensuring that no further escalation occurred. Although the protest became heated, authorities continue to monitor the situation, striving to maintain peace and stability in the area.

The incident highlights the deep-rooted tensions surrounding religious and legal issues in the region, with authorities working to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain order.

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