Hindu organisations, BJP workers and other people gathered outside the Sanjauli Masjid in Shimla on Thursday to protest against the alleged illegal construction of the mosque.
The demonstrators were seen raising slogans against the illegal construction with Tricolur in their hands. One of the protestors, who is also a BJP worker, reportedly demanded the demolition of the mosque.
“This mosque has been built illegally. All four floors of the mosque are illegal. If we construct anything illegally, it is immediately demolished. It has been 10 years, but no action has been taken on the mosque. This illegal mosque should be demolished,” he said, adding “The entire Hindu, Sanatani community is protesting. It has nothing to do with the BJP or the Congress. Hindu Samaj is fighting against this. The reason behind the protests now is that on Tuesday, some Muslim men attacked one of our Hindu brothers in which he sustained injuries. This protest is the result of that incident. An investigation should be done on the increasing number of Muslims in the state, whether they are Rohingyas or Bangladeshis.”
“There is no difference between Hindus and Muslims among those coming from other states. The real concern is that we must verify those coming to Himachal Pradesh to prevent any security risks,” he said and the Hindustan Times reported.
“The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh focuses on development and ensures that every action is lawful. This isn’t an issue of the temple or mosque but rather of legal and illegal constructions,” he said.
Anirudh Singh also highlighted the arrival of individuals from other countries, urging the need for a thorough investigation into the background of these newcomers. He called for increased vigilance to ensure the safety and security of the region, emphasising that proper scrutiny is essential in maintaining the state’s stability amid these changes.
“The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh focuses on development and ensures that every action is lawful. This isn’t an issue of the temple or mosque but rather of legal and illegal constructions,” he said.
The Sanjauli mosque row ignited a heated political debate in Himachal Pradesh, with leaders from both the BJP and Congress embroiled in a blame game within the assembly. The controversy has intensified political tensions as each party seeks to assert its stance on the issue.