Online Desk: Hundreds of residents led by Hindutva groups held protests demanding the demolition of a four-storey mosque in the Sanjauli suburb of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. The protesters raised slogans calling for the demolition of the mosque, and the unity of Hindus and recited Hindu hymns in the close vicinity of the Muslim place of worship.
The protesters also advised people not to sell or rent out their properties to Muslims. They were threatened with a boycott if they chose to do so, reports said. Nearly 500 people from different parts of the city participated in the demonstration and raised objections to the rising number of migrants belonging to the minority community in Shimla, and also demanded police verification and registration of these “outsiders”.
The campaign against Muslims and the mosque started after a dispute between a businessman and some other traders in Malyana area of the city and members of the Muslim community. The businessman was attacked on Friday night and the police registered an FIR in the case.
As the protest continued near the mosque, senior district administration officials reached the spot to pacify the crowd. The officials said that there was an issue with the top floor of the mosque constructed on the Waqf Board land and the matter was sub-judice. The matter would come up for hearing in the municipal corporation court on Saturday.
Commenting on the developments, Chander Sekhar Luthra, a Shimla-based journalist, wrote that boycott calls were given against Muslims and Muslim employees were axed from several shops under the instruction of local police officials.
“As if this was not enough, the local Sanjauli police in charge along with his subordinates was seen checking for Muslim workers in local shops (opened on Sunday) … my first impression was that this was to ensure the safety of these workers. To my shock, I saw the police in charge instructing a shop owner to immediately relieve two Muslim workers “Go underground for at least a week,” was the clearcut order from our ‘law enforcement agency’ representative in this small area,” wrote Luthra.
He expressed shock that the Congress government in the state is showing such an attitude towards the minorities. He also questioned why a crime committed by a person is being seen as community-specific.
“In my entire life of 55 years, I have never witnessed such a shameful procession against any religion in Shimla or even in Himachal… even during the ’84 (anti-Sikh) riots, we all maintained a peaceful atmosphere in Shimla or in HP. Sukhu (Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu) needs to show his statesmanship & ensure a safe environment for all religions and workers… playing in the hands of hatemongers can never serve any purpose… Congress has to end this hate politics of opposition or no one will ever believe their secular credentials,” wrote Luthra.
