The atmosphere in Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla is heated. The issue is about a mosque. A mosque was built in Sanjauli. A large number of people took to the streets on Wednesday demanding the demolition of this mosque in Sanjauli of Shimla district. Despite Section 44 (ban on gathering of more than five people at one place) being imposed, these people were adamant about going near the mosque. To stop them, the police used a water cannon and lathi charge. During this, some people were also injured. A major mishap was averted. But for how long?

Seeing the way this issue is heating up and is becoming serious in the form of a fight between two communities, the possibility cannot be ruled out that if a solution is not found in time, the violent mob may get out of control and fulfill its demand of demolishing the mosque. The same thing happened in Ayodhya. Despite giving a guarantee in the court, the government could not save the disputed structure from the violent mob.

There were 46 hearings but…

One good thing about the Sanjauli case is that the government has time to resolve the issue. And also, the issue has not become too politically charged. The government should take advantage of this and resolve the issue in time. It is not a good sign that despite 46 hearings in the court, only dates have been given till now.

How did the latest fire break out?

Before knowing the old story, let us know why the latest fire broke out. On August 30, about half a dozen people allegedly attacked some businessmen in the Malayana area. Four businessmen were injured in this. Five of the six Muslim people who were booked are said to be from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. One accused Rehan is said to be from Dehradun. It was only after this incident that Hindus from the victim's side started protesting and the demand for demolition of the mosque started gaining momentum.

About a week ago (5 September) the atmosphere of Sanjauli had become very heated. On the appeal of two Hindu organizations, hundreds of people had gathered in the main market area and started demanding the demolition of the mosque. They said that outsiders have been given shelter in the mosque.

When further protests were announced, Congress MLA from Shimla (urban) area Harish Janarth raised the issue in the assembly and demanded the intervention of the Chief Minister. On September 10, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had also assured in the assembly that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

What is the controversy regarding the mosque?

The entire controversy regarding the mosque is about what is legal and what is illegal. Hindu organizations say that the mosque is illegal, so it should be demolished. Many additional floors have been built on the mosque. This matter is also in court.

The mosque's Maulvi Shahzad Imam says that this mosque was built at the time of independence. After 2007, more construction work was done in it. In the last 14 years, four floors were built. In 2010, a case was filed declaring the mosque illegal. But, no solution could be found. It is said that the case has been heard more than 45 times in the Municipal Corporation Commissioner's court, but the decision has not been given. Only dates are being given. The next date has been given as October 5.

The State Waqf Board has told the court that the mosque is built on its land, but it does not know who built four floors on it. Local people say that the land belongs to the government and the Waqf Board has occupied it. Local people call the four floors built above the mosque illegal and are demanding its demolition.

The parties who went to the court believe that the issue is legal, but it cannot be denied that the matter has taken a political turn.

. A statement by opposition BJP MLA Jairam Thakur also indicates the same.

Jairam Thakur reminds CM Sukhu of his old statement (after the 2022 assembly elections) – In a state where 97 percent of the population is Hindu, we have defeated the Hinduist party.

Thakur says that such statements make a section of the society think about taking some action. However, Thakur also says that no political leader is involved in the protest, people gathered for it on their own.

Rural Development Minister Aniruddh Singh in the Himachal government also called the mosque built in Sanjauli illegal and demanded an investigation. On this, Asaduddin Owaisi also said that he is surprised whether the Congress or BJP is running the government in Himachal.

In such a situation, it is in the interest of Himachal that the government resolves the dispute as soon as possible and keeps a check on those indulging in politics in the name of this issue.