Shimla Mosque Controversy: Where Did It Begin, What Is the Issue, and What Are the Ministers Saying?

A large crowd of local residents, BJP workers, and members of Hindu organisations gathered outside the Sanjauli Masjid in Shimla on Thursday to protest against the alleged illegal construction of the mosque. Demonstrators held the Tricolour and raised slogans, demanding the demolition of the mosque, which they claim was built illegally.

Ankush Chauhan, a BJP worker and one of the protestors, said, “This mosque has been built illegally. All four floors are illegal. If we construct anything illegally, it is immediately demolished. It’s been 10 years, but no action has been taken. This mosque should be demolished.”

Chauhan added that the protests were sparked by an incident earlier in the week when a Hindu man was allegedly attacked by Muslim men, resulting in injuries. “The Hindu community is protesting, and this has nothing to do with BJP or Congress. The increase in Muslim migrants, potentially Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, should be investigated,” he said.

Responding to concerns about the presence of migrants, state minister Anirudh Singh acknowledged that the Muslim community has peacefully coexisted in Himachal Pradesh for generations. However, he emphasised the need for proper verification of newcomers from other states to ensure security. “The real concern is ensuring that those coming to Himachal Pradesh are properly verified,” Singh stated, adding that individuals from other countries must also be investigated for security purposes.

Singh also clarified that the issue is not about religion but about lawful versus unlawful constructions. “The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is focused on development and legal actions. This is about illegal construction, not about a temple or mosque,” he said.

What happened? 

The controversy began two weeks ago when a man from Mallyana in Sanjauli was allegedly assaulted by six individuals from a specific community, all hailing from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The arrest of the accused led to public outcry, with residents and local groups protesting against the police’s initial lenient approach and laying siege to the local police station. On September 2, a Hanuman Chalisa recital was held in front of the mosque.

Construction begin in 2010 said Minister

Urban Development Minister Anirudh Singh stated that construction of the mosque began in 2010 on what he claims is government land. He asserts that the mosque is illegal and should be demolished. Singh expressed concerns about the verification of people coming to the area, suggesting discrepancies in the reported number of residents. He also raised concerns about the arrival of individuals from Bangladesh.

In response, Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring legal construction and affirmed that the mosque matter is under judicial review. He stated that the government will not tolerate illegal constructions.

The mosque has been a subject of multiple hearings with the municipal administration since 2010, with illegal construction continuing in subsequent years. Singh noted that despite various governments—Congress from 2012 to 2017, BJP from 2017 to 2022, and Congress again—illegal construction persisted. He criticized the municipal administration for only discovering in 2023 that the mosque was not associated with the original party in the dispute.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, speaking during the ongoing monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, underscored the state’s commitment to equality and respect for all religions. He warned against taking the law into one’s own hands and urged peaceful protests.

Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur also weighed in, asserting that the issue is not about religious conflict but about illegal construction on government land. He criticized the differing statements from Singh and Sukhu on the matter, highlighting discrepancies in their positions.