New twist to Sanjauli mosque controversy, masjid committee offers to demolish illegal portion
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Shimla: In a latest twist in the controversy surrounding the illegal construction at a mosque in Sanjauli, a Shimla suburb, the mosque committee has offered to itself demolish the illegal portion of the structure that has been at the centre of protests by Hindu outfits.
The committee’s representatives submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner, stating their willingness to remove the unauthorised section of the mosque, provided they are granted permission to do so.
This offer comes in the wake of heated protests on Wednesday, where activists led by Hindu groups clashed with the police, demanding the demolition of what they claim is an illegally constructed portion of the mosque. The protests led to a tense standoff, with authorities resorting to lathi-charge and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Several people, including police personnel, were injured during the demonstrations.
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Mosque committee’s peace offer
In the memorandum, the mosque committee expressed its desire to resolve the matter peacefully and legally. “We are ready to demolish the illegal portion of the mosque, but we seek permission from the authorities to carry out the demolition ourselves,” a committee member said. The move is seen as an attempt to de-escalate tensions in Sanjauli, which has been on edge following the protests.
Rising Tensions Over Mosque Expansion
The Sanjauli mosque has been a point of contention for some time, with accusations from Hindu outfits that its recent expansion violated municipal laws. These groups have been demanding that the unauthorised portion be demolished, a call that led to Wednesday’s protest, which saw thousands of participants.
While the protests were not officially led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), many of the demonstrators were BJP supporters, adding a political dimension to the dispute. Tensions flared further when police intervened to control the large crowd, resulting in injuries and escalating the situation.
What lies ahead?
The Sanjauli mosque committee’s offer has the potential to de-escalate the volatile situation, but it remains to be seen how the protesters and local Hindu organisations will respond. As the Shimla MC reviews the memorandum, all eyes are on the next steps from both the authorities and the protest groups. The outcome of this controversy could have wider implications for communal relations in the region.
