Shimla mosque controversy: Rebuked by Congress chief, minister Anirudh asks people to ignore rumours

Himachal Pradesh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh has come under fire of his party high command after his controversial remarks regarding the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in Sanjauli, a suburb of Shimla.

“Himachal Pradesh is known for its peaceful and educated citizens. We should avoid actions that tarnish our state’s reputation,” Anirudh said, emphasising that no major political party was involved in the protests. He said the government was working to resolve the issue through legal channels.

Anirudh had raised the issue during the Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s monsoon session, highlighting concerns about the growing number of illegal immigrants, particularly Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, and their impact on the state’s crime rate. These remarks have ignited a political storm, with Hindu outfits planning a major protest in Sanjauli on September 11.

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Leaders told to mind language

However, Anirudh’s statements have also drawn sharp criticism from the Congress leadership. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge reportedly reprimanded him, instructing state leaders to avoid such divisive language. Sources claim that Kharge held a meeting in Delhi on Sunday, where Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi expressed concern over Anirudh’s comments.

Following this, Kharge directed Himachal Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajeev Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to ensure that such rhetoric is not repeated. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also criticised Singh’s remarks on social media, questioning whether the Congress or BJP was in power in Himachal Pradesh.

Escalating protests in Sanjauli

The controversy surrounding the mosque stems from ongoing protests in Sanjauli, where residents have been demanding the demolition of what they claim is an illegally constructed structure. The matter has been pending in court for 14 years, but tensions recently escalated after a businessman was allegedly attacked by Muslim youths in Malyana, a nearby area under Anirudh’s Assembly constituency.

During his Assembly speech, Anirudh raised concerns about the rising number of outsiders entering Himachal Pradesh, particularly from Bangladesh and Rohingya groups. He called for a verification of these individuals, expressing worry about the rapid, unauthorized construction in sensitive areas. “People from the Jamaat are arriving, and there’s no record of their origins. Are they Rohingyas? We must verify them,” he stated.

Appeal for calm from local leaders

As tensions rise in Sanjauli, local leaders are calling for restraint. Shimla MLA Harish Janartha urged protesters to respect the legal process and avoid actions that could harm the state’s peace and image. Despite the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 163 (previously 144) in the area, Hindu organisations held their protest.