Shimla: In a fresh twist to the Sanjauli mosque controversy, Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister Anirudh Singh has made a startling allegation, accusing former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur of providing Rs 12 lakh for the construction of the illegal mosque in Sanjauli.
Anirudh claimed that an additional Rs 2 lakh had also been released from the Planning Head during the BJP’s tenure to support the mosque’s construction.
Speaking to the media, Anirudh Singh said, “I am aware that Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur contributed Rs 12 lakh towards the illegal mosque. The BJP is attempting to politicise the issue ahead of elections in other states by capitalising on this controversy.”
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BJP accused of electoral politics
Anirudh did not hold back in his criticism of the BJP, accusing the party of giving a political colour to the mosque dispute for electoral gains in poll-bound Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. He further alleged that the illegal construction of the mosque took place during the COVID-19 pandemic when the BJP was in power in Himachal Pradesh.
“At that time, Shimla Urban MLA Suresh Bhardwaj, who was the Urban Development Minister, had written a letter to facilitate the transfer of the Imam from the Sanjauli mosque. This happened under the BJP’s watch,” he added.
Rising political tensions in Shimla
The Sanjauli mosque controversy has sparked heated political debates in the state. The issue has gained momentum after protests from Hindu organisations against the mosque’s illegal expansion, leading to clashes with the police. Thousands of demonstrators had gathered in Sanjauli on Wednesday, prompting a police lathi-charge after protesters broke barricades.
The opposition BJP has been vocal in its criticism of the Congress government, accusing it of mishandling the situation. However, with Anirudh Singh’s latest claims, the focus has shifted to the alleged role of BJP leaders in facilitating the mosque’s illegal construction.
Muslim committee offers to demolish portion
Meanwhile, the Muslim Welfare Committee has urged the Shimla Municipal Corporation to seal the disputed portion of the mosque. In a memorandum submitted to the Commissioner, the committee expressed their willingness to demolish the illegal portion of the mosque themselves, should permission be granted.
The mosque committee’s offer comes amid rising tensions in Sanjauli, where three separate FIRs have been lodged at the Dhali police station against individuals involved in Wednesday’s protests. The Shimla Beopar Mandal also called for a bandh in the city, protesting the police’s lathi-charge on demonstrators.
Beopar Mandal protests lathicharge
The Shimla Beopar Mandal staged a protest on Thursday against the state government and the police administration, opposing the use of force during the Wednesday protests. Thousands of protesters had gathered in Sanjauli to demand action against the illegal mosque construction, leading to the violent clash with police forces.
