Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, December 15
Hindu organisations have submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation commissioner, demanding the removal of the allegedly illegal upper portion of the Sanjauli mosque, while retaining its lower two floors. The Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, which is leading the campaign, said the deadline for removing the disputed structure ends on December 29 and urged the civic body to ensure compliance with court orders. The group also offered to carry out voluntary labour, or kar seva, to remove the alleged illegal construction if the authorities were unable to do so.
Addressing reporters, Samiti member Madan Thakur said the municipal corporation must take responsibility for enforcing judicial directions. He alleged that if the Waqf Board, the mosque committee and the civic body were incapable of removing the structure, the organisation was prepared to step in through unpaid community service.
Thakur further claimed that illegal constructions should not be ignored and alleged unequal application of laws in the state. He also accused the state government of protecting “outsiders” and alleged that a demographic change was being planned in Himachal Pradesh, similar to neighbouring Uttarakhand. These claims could not be independently verified.
Another Samiti leader, Vijay Sharma, said the organisation had formally asked the municipal commissioner to call for a status report in the case and make it public. He reiterated that if there was a shortage of funds or labour, volunteers from the group were willing to assist in removing the disputed portion without charge.
The municipal corporation has not yet issued an official response to the memorandum or the allegations raised by the group.
