After Sanjauli mosque committee, Waqf Board too agrees to demolish illegal portion of shrine but with a rider
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SHIMLA: After the mosque committee, the Waqf Board too has given its nod to voluntarily demolish the illegal portion of the Sanjauli mosque in Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla.
The decision was officially communicated when the State Officer of the Waqf Board, Qutubdin, met Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhupendra Atri, handing over a formal letter agreeing to the demolition.
The move comes a day after the masjid committee, led by its president Mohammad Latif, met Commissioner Atri, expressing their willingness to take down the illegal portion themselves if directed by the municipal authorities. The mosque committee submitted a written request confirming their readiness to demolish the illegal portion, signalling their intent to cooperate with the city’s regulations.
Also Read : https://thenewzradar.com/after-sanjauli-mosque-violence-himachal-all-party-meeting-resolves-to-maintain-communal-harmony/
Waqf Board responds to corporation’s inquiry
Following the mosque committee’s offer, the Municipal Corporation sought a formal response from the Waqf Board, inquiring whether the board supported the committee’s decision. On Friday, Qutubdin, representing the Waqf Board, clarified the board’s stance. “The illegal construction —anything above two and a half floors — was carried out solely by the mosque committee. The Waqf Board had not approved any construction beyond what was permissible under the law,” said Qutubdin.
He added that now, with the mosque committee willing to demolish the illegal portion, the Waqf Board has no objections to the move. In the official letter to the municipal authorities, the board emphasised that it stands by the committee’s decision, reinforcing that peace and mutual brotherhood are their ultimate goals.
Conditional consent by Waqf Board
However, the Waqf Board’s approval comes with conditions. While agreeing to the demolition, the board clarified that the mosque’s original two-and-a-half-storey structure has existed for a long time and should remain untouched.
The board stated that only the unapproved construction above the permitted levels would be subject to removal as per Municipal Corporation regulations. Any action should therefore be confined to illegal additions, leaving the historical base of the mosque intact.
The mosque committee had initially approached Municipal Commissioner Atri on Thursday, submitting their offer to self-demolish the illegal portions of the mosque. This proactive step by the committee was then communicated to the Waqf Board.
Following consultations between Waqf Board officials and their Chief Executive Officer, the board resolved that they had no issues with the mosque committee’s plan to dismantle the unauthorized floors, provided it is done under the municipal guidelines.
Next Steps awaited from Municipal Corporation
Despite the developments, the Municipal Corporation has yet to make a final decision. “We have received both the mosque committee’s and the Waqf Board’s applications. The matter is under consideration, and we will reach a decision shortly,” Commissioner Atri said, adding that all legal requirements will be adhered to before proceeding with any demolition orders.
As tensions surrounding the mosque’s construction simmer in Shimla, this decision by the mosque committee and the Waqf Board is being seen as a crucial step towards de-escalating the situation. However, all eyes now turn to the Municipal Corporation, which holds the authority to issue the final demolition orders.
