Sanjauli Mosque Conflict: District Court Affirms Municipal Court's Ruling, Rejects Mosque Committee's Appeal
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Shimla, Nov 30 (NationPress) The Shimla District Court has confirmed the Municipal Court's ruling to demolish three floors of the Sanjauli mosque and turned down a petition submitted by the mosque committee seeking a review of that decision.
Vishwa Bhushan, an attorney for the Muslim community, stated, "Our petition has been denied. We contended that those who represented the mosque committee in court lacked the authority to do so, but the court dismissed our argument. We will analyze the complete judgment once we receive it and then decide on our next steps."
Jagat Pal, a legal representative for the Sanjauli residents, expressed his approval of the ruling. "Their appeal had no standing. The Municipal Court’s order to demolish three floors of the Sanjauli mosque remains in effect. One floor has already been taken down, and the other two will be removed shortly," he remarked.
On the other hand, Mohammad Latif, the head of the mosque committee, raised concerns regarding the timeline for demolition. "We have requested the Municipal Court to extend the deadline for dismantling the remaining two floors due to a shortage of labor. The High Court has set November 20 as the final date for the completion of this process, but the weather is unfavorable. How can we accomplish this within the specified timeframe?" he queried.
The dispute stems from the mosque’s unauthorized expansion. Initially a single-story building, the mosque expanded into a five-story structure by 2018 without the necessary permits. Local residents raised objections, prompting the Shimla Municipal Corporation to issue its first demolition notice in 2011. The Municipal Court finally mandated the demolition of the illegal three floors on October 5, 2024.
The situation intensified when Hindu organizations staged protests, calling for actions against other purportedly illegal mosques in Himachal Pradesh. The issue was also brought up in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, where Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh expressed his backing for the demolition.
The Sanjauli mosque controversy escalated after an incident in Shimla's Malyana area, where a Hindu man was allegedly attacked by six individuals who were reportedly seeking refuge in the mosque. This incident led to protests from Hindu groups, who demanded the mosque's demolition on the grounds of its illegal construction.
With one floor already dismantled, the legal battle persists as the mosque committee seeks additional time to adhere to the court’s ruling.
