The illegal two-storey mosque built in Mandi will be demolished
Mandi: Amidst massive protests demanding the demolition of the mosque built by illegally occupying land in Mandi city of Himachal Pradesh, the court of Municipal Corporation Commissioner has given a big order. An order has been given to demolish the two-storey illegal mosque. The court of Municipal Corporation Commissioner HS Rana has given one month (30 days) for this. Earlier, the Mandi administration had announced that the illegal mosque in Mandi would be sealed, but the protesters are adamant.
What did the commissioner of Mandi Municipal Corporation say in the order
Mandi Municipal Corporation Commissioner HS Rana said that we have completed the hearing of this case in three months. During the hearing, we found that illegal construction has been done in the mosque because the construction that was done was not approved. No map was passed. Therefore, we have ordered the demolition of the illegal construction within 30 days. The mosque will have to be restored to its old form. If the mosque committee does not demolish the illegal construction itself, then the Municipal Corporation will demolish this construction. The mosque committee can also appeal in the higher court within 30 days.
Water cannons were used on the protesters
Police on Friday used water cannon to disperse people associated with Hindu organisations protesting in Mandi town demanding demolition of a mosque built on illegally occupied land. The protesters first took out a march in Mandi Bazaar area and then sat on a dharna at Seri Manch. Later when they tried to move towards the mosque, police stopped them and used water cannon to control the situation. Police have beefed up security by deploying heavy force in Mandi after Hindu organisations called for a protest march.
What is the controversy regarding the mosque in Mandi
This thirty-year-old 3-storey mosque is on Jail Road in Mandi city. It is alleged that its 2 floors were built illegally. There is also an allegation of encroachment on government land by building a wall along with the mosque. However, this wall has been demolished by the mosque committee itself. It is alleged that 2 floors have been built in the mosque on Jail Road in Mandi without permission. A case is going on in the Municipal Corporation Commissioner Court regarding this since June 2024. The land of this mosque is in the name of a Muslim woman. 2 floors were built in March this year on a one-storey mosque built about thirty years ago.
The Nagar Nigam had given a notice to stop the work in June. When an investigation was done, some land was found to be owned by the PWD. The wall adjoining the road was also built illegally. Apart from illegal construction and encroachment, the local people have objections to the people coming from outside and living in this mosque. The local people allege that outsiders have started living around the mosque and in this way the demography of the area is also getting affected.
This is the allegation of Hindu organizations
Some Hindu organizations also allege that centuries ago there was a temple at the place of this mosque, which the king had given to one of his Muslim weavers to offer namaz. The local people demand that excavation should be done under this mosque and the Archaeological Department should check whether there is a temple under the mosque or not. However, no concrete evidence of this claim of Hindu organizations has come to light till now.
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