Two Muslim bodies in Himachal Pradesh are divided over the issue of demolition of three unauthorized floors of the disputed mosque located in Sanjauli. The Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s court had on October 5 ordered the demolition of three unauthorized floors of the five-storey mosque.
Two Muslim bodies in Himachal Pradesh are divided over the issue of demolition of three unauthorized floors of the disputed mosque located in Sanjauli. The Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s court had on October 5 ordered the demolition of three unauthorized floors of the five-storey mosque. It has given two months time to the Waqf Board and the Chairman of the Mosque Committee to implement the orders.
All Himachal Muslim Organization (AHMO) has said that it will challenge the order of the Municipal Commissioner’s court in the court of appellate authority. If necessary he will also go to the Supreme Court, while the Sanjauli Masjid Committee has already given its approval to demolish the unauthorized parts.
On September 12, 10 people were injured during a protest demanding the demolition of unauthorized parts of the mosque. A day later, the Muslim Welfare Committee submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner asking him to seal an unauthorized portion of the Sanjauli Masjid and saying that they would demolish the portion themselves.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, AHMO state spokesperson Nazakat Ali Hashmi said the conclusion was reached unanimously in a meeting of the members. According to this, those who had pledged to demolish the unauthorized floors of the mosque had no authority to make any such proposal. The Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court is contrary to the facts.
He said that the land belongs to the Waqf Board. The mosque is 125 years old and the unauthorized floors are not illegal. He said that the approval of the maps is lying with the authorities but the Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court has ordered the demolition of the floors. Hashmi claimed that the commissioner’s court passed the order based on the application of some persons and sought to trace the land owner, the stakeholders, those who are authorized to demolish the structure and those who are authorized to plead the case. Didn’t bother.
He said that after getting the certified copy of the order, we will appeal in the court of the appellate authority and if necessary will also go to the Supreme Court. Referring to the mosque committee members, Hashmi claimed that the people who formed the basis for passing the order were neither authorized by the Waqf Board nor were they office-bearers of any Muslim organisation. This is his personal opinion and the Muslim community does not agree with it.
Meanwhile, Sanjauli Masjid Committee Chairman Muhammad Latif asked on Thursday who are these people who are holding meetings. Latif was part of the delegation that submitted the memorandum. “We had already offered to demolish the unauthorized floors of the mosque on September 12 and we have no objection to the order,” he said. We stand by our words.” He said that there should be an investigation as to who is behind such committees.
Meanwhile, another AHMO member Mohammad Afzal said that Latif is the former chairman of the committee and currently he has nothing to do with it and this could be his personal opinion.