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The outrage over the alleged illegal construction of mosques in Himachal Pradesh does not seem to be subsiding. The controversy that started from Sanjauli in Shimla is now spreading across the state.
Krishna Bihari Singh , SirmaurSat, 21 Sep 2024 12:10 PM Share
The controversy that arose from Sanjauli in Shimla over the alleged illegal construction of a mosque seems to be gaining momentum in the whole of Himachal Pradesh. Now Hindu organizations in Sirmaur district have protested against the construction of illegal mosques and the people of a particular community coming from outside without any hindrance. A large number of people protested in Shillai of Sirmaur on Saturday under the banner of Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti. Carrying banners in their hands, people took out a rally in Shillai market.
A large number of women also joined the protestors. They demanded verification of migrants and abolition of the Waqf Board. The protestors carried banners that said that this protest was being held against the Waqf Board and illegal immigrants. They mentioned their three demands on the banners, which included a demand from the Indian government to abolish the Waqf Board, a ban on illegal mosques and shrines being built in Himachal, and a ban on illegal immigrants in the Shillai area.
Om Prakash, president of Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, Shillai, levelled serious allegations against the Waqf Board and said that it is acting like a land mafia. It is illegally occupying the government lands of the state. He demanded that this board should be abolished immediately and strict action should be taken against illegally constructed mosques and tombs in the state. He warned that if timely steps are not taken, the Hindu society will launch a fierce agitation.
For now, the rally remained peaceful and the police did not have to resort to the use of force to control the protesters. No untoward incident took place during the protest. The administration had deployed police force at many places in view of security. Earlier on Thursday, hundreds of people gathered under the leadership of Karni Sena in Nerwa of Shimla district and demanded strict action to remove illegal constructions from mosques. Recently, in Paonta Sahib of Sirmaur district, people also kept the market closed for half a day over the same issues.