Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, November 18
Tensions in Shimla’s Sanjauli locality intensified on Tuesday after activists, disputing what they contend is an “illegally erected” mosque, commenced an indefinite sit-in outside the local police station. Members of the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti(DSS) gathered at the station after police filed a case against six people — three of them women — for allegedly stopping Muslims from outside Himachal Pradesh from offering prayers at the site last Friday. The confrontation escalated into an argument between the two communities, prompting officers to book the accused under sections related to hurting religious sentiments.
Leaders of the Samiti insist the mosque was declared unlawful by a court, which, they say, directed authorities to disconnect water and electricity supplies and demolish the structure. They accuse the administration of ignoring these orders while criminalising those raising objections. Vijay Sharma, the Samiti’s co-convener, and member Vikas Thapta told reporters that the group would escalate its campaign if the FIR is not withdrawn within 24 hours. They warned of what they called a “decisive struggle” on Friday, suggesting the scale of protests could surpass previous demonstrations.
The group also alleged that an individual from the Muslim community attempted to offer inducements to protesters, a claim they used to underscore their narrative of defiance.
