The Sanjauli Mosque controversy in Himachal Pradesh has become a flashpoint of Hindu outrage. Its story revolves around illegal construction, government negligence, and growing Hindu outrage over the handling of the issue. The case, simmering for over a decade, is now at the center of a heated social and legal dispute.
As Hindu protests escalate, it is clear that the issue represents a much broader frustration among Hindus over the failure of successive governments to protect Devbhoomi. Hence, the Himachal Hindus seem set to safeguard their land and rights through this protest under the banner – “Himachal ne thana hai, Devbhoomi ko bachana hai!”
The Story Behind the Sanjauli Mosque
Kamal Gautam! A Dalit Hindu!!
He Filed RTI against illegal mo$que at Sanjauli in Shimla.
HP CONgress Govt had to admit it was illegal construction.
As a reward-
1. CONgress Govt suspended him from Govt Job
2. Now arrests himBut he refuses to bow down to injustice! True… pic.twitter.com/0FP2b6Jhol
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) September 11, 2024
At the heart of the controversy is a five-story mosque, whose origins are contested to date. Shahzad Imam, the maulvi of the mosque, claims the structure dates back to 1947. However, an extended construction took place post-2007. Contrarily, this narrative is disputed by numerous reports that suggest that illegal construction began in 2010 and has continued unabated under the Waqf Board’s belligerent abuse of stsus and power.
Despite 44 hearings in court, the issue remains unresolved.
Thereby, allowing the “peaceful” construction of the mosque to expand to five stories without appropriate approvals.
Blatant misuse of power by the Congress government in Himachal & all this just to protect an illegally constructed Masjid in Sanjauli.
Hundreds of Hindus already detained‼️ pic.twitter.com/HQkRWVTUKF
— Diksha Verma (@dikshaaverma) September 11, 2024
However, the problem is not merely about the religious structure or existence of the mosque. The Hindu Akrosh is mainly against the audacity of continued illegal construction and the brazen security the ‘peacefuls’ enjoy in Bharat. The lack of a legal resolution to the problem adds to the anger of the locals. Hence, as the case continues to drag on for years the Hindus are fast losing their faith and patience in the system! The government seems unable to demolish the illegal sections. And the authorities look on helplessly as the mosque grows larger without proper permission. Thereby, signaling a dangerous precedent for other illegal constructions. Consequently, the Himachal Hindus have decided to take matters into their own hands!
What Sparked Recent Protests Against Sanjauli Mosque?
The recent clashes between local Hindus and the police have brought the issue of Sanjauli Mosque into sharp focus. Tensions boiled over on 30th August 2024 when a group of “peaceful” occupants of the mosque attacked a businessman and traders in the Malyana area. This skirmish initially began as a personal tiff between a “peaceful” and local business man. First, the “peaceful” beat up the Hindu businessman. Then, the locals beat up the “peaceful”. Later, this injured “peaceful” brought his friends over from the Sanjauli mosque to cause injury to these local vendors.
This violent incident taught the local Hindus of Himachal that increasing presence of “peacefuls” also increases aggression in the region. Therefore, the anger against the “peacefuls” brought renewed attention to the illegal nature of the Sanjauli mosque.
Thus, Himachali Hindus are demanding immediate demolition of the illegal structure and punitive action against the “peacefuls”.
Local Hindu organizations and BJP workers are rocking the INC-ruled almost bankrupt state with protests. They chant slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and ask the government to act on the illegal “peaceful” construction. Slogans such as “Himachal Ne Thaana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai” echo through the streets of Himachal, reflecting growing frustration. Protesters argue that if Hindus were to build any illegal structure, it would be demolished immediately. Thus, they question why an illegal mosque continues to stand tall and add illegal floors to mock the rule of law.
Government Inaction: 14 Years of Legal Wrangling
Brave Hindu woman living in front of the illegal Sanjauli mosque in Shimla makes sensational revelations, demands security
They have come from other states. More than 2000 gather & block roads on jumma, illegally built during covid, No verification, security risk!, capturing… pic.twitter.com/L6g5dEK4t0
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 11, 2024
One of the most damning aspects of this controversy is the failure of both past and present governments to address illegal construction decisively. Despite 44 court hearings and a case registered against the mosque in 2010, no action has been taken to stop the mosque’s expansion.
Four new floors have been added in recent years, even though the construction is on disputed land.
The previous BJP and INC governments were unable to provide justice to the locals of Sanjauli. After the latest protest, the current Congress-led government has called for an investigation into the construction of the mosque. However, the Himachal Hindus no longer beleive the promises of these politicians.
Earlier this month, Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh called the mosque illegal in the State Assembly. He also stated that the mosque’s additional floors were built illegally and without approval in a fragile ecological site in Shimla. Singh also raised concerns about law and order, citing increasing cases of Love Jihad, eve teasing, and thefts have increased in the area.
"…It will be demolished if it is found to be illegal. But we have to move ahead with the process of law…": HP Minister #VikramadityaSingh commented on the matter of the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in the #Sanjauli area.#Sanjaulimosque #HimachalPradesh… pic.twitter.com/xJ18rwd9Hd
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) September 11, 2024
However, Minister Singh’s response has been criticized as “too little, too late” with many Hindus questioning why it has taken 14 years for the government to act.
शिमला के इस युवा ने अवैध मस्जिद वालों की पोल खोल दी | महिलाओं से करते हैं शर्मनाक बातें
#himachalpradesh #sanjauli #shimla #congress pic.twitter.com/40MN5yitIr— Pyara Hindustan (@_PyaraHindustan) September 11, 2024
The state Congress unit has taken a different position on the issue. They admit that the Sanajuli mosque’s additional floors are illegal. However, they do not support Minister Singh’s statements on the legality of the structure. The Congress government’s tepid response has only added to the ire of Hindus who feel that the party and its politics have failed to safeguard Hindu interests. Many wonder whether the government would have shown the same leniency if it were a Hindu structure involved in illegal construction.
Himachal Hindu Outrage: A Fight for Justice
While the Hindus of Himachal Pradesh came out on the street to peacefully protest against the illegal masjid built in Shimla’s sanjauli, the Congress govt used water cannons & lathi charged on them to protect the masjid.
We Himachali’s are firm on our stand to protect the… pic.twitter.com/76OPmJVdRT
— Diksha Verma (@dikshaaverma) September 11, 2024
The Hindu protestors see the Sanjauli mosque controversy as more than a local issue. They believe this illegal construction is a microcosm of a larger battle for religious and cultural survival in Bharat. The Hindu population in Himachal Pradesh has been increasingly vocal about their concerns over illegal constructions by “peacefuls.” Thus, the Sanjauli mosque has become a rallying point for Hindu forces to unite!
The Himachal Hindus are frustrated by the lack of action, citing the appeasement of “peacefuls” by lawmakers.
A Hindu activist was kicked in the chest by Himachal Police while protesting at the illegal Shimla Sanjauli Masjid site.
This is the condition of Hindus in all Congress-ruled states. You vote for freebies and pay the price for your rights and safety!pic.twitter.com/TNZbpf4cmg
— Alpaca Girl🇮🇳 (@Alpakanya) September 11, 2024
The Sukhu administartion has chosen the “peaceful” side against Hindus in Himachal Pradesh. The Dalit Hindu who sought RTI against the legality of the mosque and its expansion stands suspended from duty! The police used water cannons and lathi charge on the protesting Hindus. All this while the illegal structure of Sanjauli Mosque flourishes safely in INC-ruled state. Thereby, bringing forth questions on favoritism and appeasement policies that guides the Hand of CON party!
As Hindu organizations continue to demand the demolition of the illegal mosque, the Sukhu government is caught in a balancing act. They need to ensure justice for Hindus while protecting its ‘peaceful’ vote bank in Bharat! However, what these protests show clearly is that the Hindu population in Himachal Pradesh is no longer willing to stay silent. They are prepared to demand justice and safeguard their land against “peaceful” acts of aggression.
Legal and Social Fallout: What’s Next?
शिमला संजौली में हिंदू संगठनों का हल्ला बोल, पुलिस ने की पानी की बौछार #sanjauli #shimla pic.twitter.com/OU6WMdrtBP
— City News Himachal (@city_news_in) September 11, 2024
The situation in Himachal Pradesh has escalated to such an extent that the police have deployed heavy security forces, drones, and surveillance teams against Hindu protestors. The Shimla administration is urging protestors to remain peaceful instead of “peaceful”. The Sukhu government has placed section 168 in the region. However, such measures only attempt to regulate the Hindu protests. The illegal mosque construction and its aggressive residents remain safe in INC-ruled Himachal.
The legal case regarding Sanjauli Mosque remains unresolved, but the public sentiment is clear. Hindus are fed up with the lack of accountability and enforcement when it comes to illegal constructions that directly affect their communities. The Sanjauli mosque row is a wake-up call, not just for the government but also for the judiciary. Justice delayed is justice denied! And Hindus of Bharat are increasingly disenchanted by the convoluted process of the “system”!
As this issue continues to unfold, the government needs to take a firm stand. Hindus should not need to walk the streets to demand justice, the law should sufficiently ensure equality in the right to justice! Failure to do so risks ensuring complete disenchantment of Hindus in Bharat. The Sukhu governemnt should not anger the Hindu community into rejecting their law-abiding nature in order to protect Dharma. The current Hindu protest in Shimla are proof that Hindu unity is not a myth, its a powerful tool that moves mountains! While the reaction of the Sukhu government also proves that INC-ruled states suppress Hindu rights and voices under water cannons and arrests/suspension of dissenting voices!