The issue of the construction of the disputed mosque in Sanjauli suburb of Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla was also raised in the assembly on Wednesday. Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, in response to the discussion on the attention motion brought by MLAs Harish Janartha and Balbir Verma under Rule 62 in the assembly, said that action will be taken against the illegally constructed mosque as per the law. Vikramaditya Singh said that the matter of illegal construction in the mosque is pending in the Commissioner’s Court of Shimla Municipal Corporation since 2010. As soon as the decision comes on this, action will be taken as per the decision. He urged the MLAs of both Congress and BJP parties not to give importance to this issue, so that communal harmony remains.
MLA Balveer said that the four floors of the mosque should be demolished immediately.
Former MLA Balbir Verma raised the issue and said that the four floors of the illegally constructed mosque in Sanjauli should be demolished immediately and all activities in the mosque should be stopped so that the sentiments of people of other religions living around the mosque are not hurt. He said that the residents of Sanjauli have opposed the illegal construction and other activities in the mosque rising above party politics. He also alleged that the communal atmosphere in Sanjauli is getting spoiled due to this mosque.
MLA Harish denies tension, accuses of spreading sensationalism
Shimla MLA Harish Janartha denied any tension due to the mosque and said that this mosque is from before 1960. However, after the year 2010, its three floors have been constructed illegally. He also said that this mosque is built on the land of Waqf Board and not only people from outside states but also people from the local Muslim community live in this mosque. He said that the toilets built illegally in the mosque have been removed. He accused some people of forcibly spreading sensation on this matter.
Minister Aniruddha rejected the arguments of local MLAs
On this issue, Rural Development Minister Aniruddh Singh rejected all the arguments of the local MLA. He said that Harish Janartha had claimed that there are only 190 Muslim Tehbazaris in Shimla, but their number is more than 1900. He said that only Himachali bonafide people should be allowed to do Tehbazari in Shimla and all permissions given to outsiders should be cancelled. He said that 44 hearings have been held so far in the case of illegal construction of the mosque in Sanjauli, due to which the communal atmosphere has deteriorated, but the decision has not been given yet. He called this trial a sham. He also alleged that he knows some people in Shimla who are Bangladeshis and their verification should be done.