Shimla Masjid News

A Muslim group suggests that the Shimla city government dismantle the 'illegal' part of the Sanjauli mosque.

The Sanjauli mosque's imam, Shehzaad, stated that Muslims desire to remain in peace and have promised to destroy the mosque's purportedly unauthorized component.

On September 12, representatives of the Masjid committee in Shimla submitted a document to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner over the suspected illegal structure within a mosque located in Sanjauli. (Image from PTI)

On Thursday, Muslim community representatives in Shimla addressed the Municipal Corporation with an offer to seal or demolish the disputed area of the Sanjauli mosque that is believed to be unauthorized.

The action was taken in response to a demonstration over the mosque's purportedly unauthorized construction that was organized by some Hindu organizations and localities. A large-scale demonstration was organised by certain Hindu organisations in Shimla on Wednesday, forcing the police to use water cannons and lathicharge to break up the throng. 

Shehzaad, the head imam of the Sanjauli mosque, said, "We have approached the Municipal Corporation and requested that if they feel some part of mosque was illegal, then the municipality must allow to seal it and if there is a need to demolish, the community must be allowed to demolish it on its own."

We have lived here for decades and have made this decision as a Himachali, therefore there is no pressure on us. We want to maintain our peace, and brotherhood ought to win out," he continued.

Bhupendra Attri, Municipality Commissioner, attested to the receipt of the application. "They have pledged to seal or destroy the mosque's illegal portion on their own. We still don't know how much of it is prohibited," he stated.

The action was hailed by members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangarh Committee, who had issued the protest call against the mosque's unauthorized construction. 

"We applaud the Muslim community's action and are the first to congratulate them for taking this step in the greater good," samiti member Vijay Sharma stated. 

Shops were closed from 10 am to 1 pm today as a result of a bandh call issued by Shimla Beopar Mandal. The municipal corporation court is hearing a complaint involving the illegal or unauthorised construction of several floors within the mosque.