Amidst the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, pressing for the demolition of the Sanjauli mosque in the Shimla suburbs, the Waqf Board challenged the district court’s order in high court, declaring the shrine as unauthorized.
The decision to demolish the mosque, declaring it an unauthorized building, and its members was upheld by the Shimla Municipal Commissioner Court’s decision. Meanwhile, members of Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti staged a hunger strike demanding immediate sealing of the mosque and disconnecting its electricity and water supply.
Meanwhile, a petition has been filed by the waqf board in the high court, which challenges the decision of the Shimla Municipal Corporation commissioner and district court.
Both the Waqf Board and the mosque committee had earlier challenged the order of the municipal court in the district court; meanwhile, the district court upheld the orders by the municipal commissioner and passed the order to demolish the illegal structure by December 30.
The samiti members had requested that Muslims avoid coming to the mosque for Friday prayers. Still, a few devotees arrived on Friday, and although the atmosphere was tense, nothing untoward occurred.
Riyasat Ali, the first to reach the mosque that day, noted that the authorities had not prohibited anyone from offering prayers. However, the mosque’s cleric had urged the community to refrain from congregational prayers until the legal matter is settled.
The convenor of the Samiti, Vijay Sharma, said that the members of the organizations are waiting for a meeting set to be held on November 29. The meeting, which is supposed to be held with the administration, would decide the strategy of the future.
Vijay Sharma, co-convenor of the Samiti, said the members of the organization are waiting for a November 29 meeting with the administration and would decide the future strategy thereafter. He added that the agitation would be intensified if the talks fail.
“Prayers are being offered in the structure, despite the court declaring it as illegal and passing orders to demolish it, which is very unfortunate,” Sharma said.
