Political and social tensions flared up again on Monday in the highly controversial Sanjauli mosque dispute in Shimla. Various Hindu organizations, under the banner of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti (Hindu Struggle Committee), submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner demanding the removal of illegal construction. The organizations alleged that the upper part of the mosque, excluding the lower two floors, was illegally constructed and demanded its immediate demolition. The Hindu Sangharsh Samiti offered to provide free labor for the demolition if the Waqf Board and the Municipal Corporation were unable to remove the illegal structure themselves.
The committee leaders stated that it is the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation to ensure compliance with court orders and that any laxity in this matter would not be tolerated. Committee member Madan Thakur said that December 29th has been set as the deadline for removing the illegal construction. Therefore, the Municipal Corporation should ensure compliance with the court orders and obtain and make public a status report on the entire matter. He alleged that the law is not being applied equally in the state and that negligence is being shown regarding illegal construction. Madan Thakur reiterated that if the Waqf Board, the mosque committee, and the Municipal Corporation are unable to remove the illegal portion, the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti is fully prepared to provide free labour for the task.
He also stated that the committee would conduct a public awareness campaign alongside its protest. Another committee member, Vijay Sharma, said that the deadline for removing the illegal portion expires on December 29th. The committee has submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner in this regard. He demanded that the Municipal Corporation call for a status report as soon as possible and make it public. Vijay Sharma said that if a lack of funds or labour is a hindrance, the committee members are ready to provide free labor to remove the illegal construction. The Hindu organizations warned that if action is not taken within the stipulated time frame, the agitation would be intensified.
