Himachal Pradesh: After Hindus Protest, Muslim Committee Agrees To Demolish Illegal Mosque Portion In Shimla's Sanjauli

A day after Hindus protested against the 'illegal' mosque in Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla, members of a Muslim welfare committee agreed to demolish the concerned part if the court orders so.

Submitting a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhupender Kumar Attri, the Muslims requested the civic body to seal the unauthorised section of the mosque in Sanjauli.

Citing the preservation of harmony and brotherhood in the area, the delegation comprising the Imam of the mosque and members of the Waqf board and the mosque management committee arrived at the decision.

The delegation said that the Muslims living in the area are permanent residents of the state and have been living there for decades and they have taken the decision as a 'Himachali.'

“We have sought permission from the Shimla municipal commissioner to demolish the unauthorised part of the mosque situated in Sanjauli," member of the welfare committee Mufti Mohammad Shafi Kasmi told PTI.

Imam of the Sanjauli mosque Shaizad Alam said there was no pressure on Muslims and the decision has been taken for peace and brotherhood. The Municipal Commissioner confirmed receiving the request.

The move of the Muslim community was welcomed by the Dev Bhoomi Sangarh Committee, which was leading the protests by Hindus. The protests resulted in larthi-charge by the police.

Earlier last week, a large protest took place outside the Sanjauli mosque with BJP workers, several Hindu organisations, and local residents calling for the demolition of what they claim to be an "illegal" mosque.