Shimla — Tensions erupted in Shimla’s Sanjauli area on Wednesday as protestors demanding the demolition of an illegal portion of a mosque clashed with security forces. The demonstrators, who had gathered in large numbers, defied prohibitory orders and police warnings, leading to a lathi-charge and the use of water cannons by the authorities.
Protest Details and Police Action
Hundreds of protestors, led by various Hindu groups, gathered at Sabzi Mandi Dhalli before marching towards Sanjauli. The crowd raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hindu Ekta Zindabad” and breached police barricades near the Dhalli tunnel. As they proceeded towards the mosque, they broke through a second barricade, prompting police to take action.
In response, the police used batons and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Several protestors, including Kamal Gautam, the secretary of Hindu Jagran Manch, were detained. Despite these measures, the protestors continued to raise slogans and refused to leave the area.
Escalation and Injuries
The protest saw participation from many women, some of whom recited Hanuman Chalisa before breaking the barricades. The clash led to injuries on both sides; a policewoman was hurt during a scuffle, and protestors claimed that some of their members were injured in the police action.
Security and Administration Response
The Shimla district administration has fortified the area with a heavy police presence and issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting assembly of five or more people and the carrying of weapons.
Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh called for peace and assured that the state government would expedite the legal proceedings concerning the disputed mosque structure. Singh noted that similar disputes involve thousands of structures and emphasized the need for prompt legal resolution.
Political Reactions
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur urged protestors to adhere to prohibitory orders, cautioning that the sensitive nature of the mosque issue should be handled with care to prevent broader unrest.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that the issue should not be politicized and highlighted the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order. Sukhu reassured that the legal process regarding the mosque’s unauthorized construction would be followed, and efforts would be made for an expedited resolution.
Previous and Ongoing Protests
The dispute over the mosque has been ongoing for 14 years, with the next court hearing scheduled for October 5. The issue has been a point of contention, with recent protests and a bandh call from Hindu organizations adding to the tensions.
Last Thursday, large-scale protests were staged at Chaura Maidan and Sanjauli, with demonstrators pressing for the demolition of the disputed structure and registration of outsiders entering the state.
The situation remains tense as the community and authorities grapple with the legal and social ramifications of the mosque dispute.
