Protests reignite in Shimla over Sanjauli mosque dispute

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Yog Raj Sharma

The North News

Shimla, September 11

Protests resurfaced in Shimla on Thursday over the disputed mosque in Sanjauli, with representatives of Hindu organisations staged demonstrations outside the site. Marking the anniversary of last year’s protests, which ended in a police baton charge, members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti performed symbolic rituals, describing the day as “Sanatan Shaurya-Smruti and Pratikar Diwas” (Day of Valor and Resistance).

Committee leaders Vijay Sharma and Madan Thakur accused the state administration of restricting their demonstration, saying permission was granted to only 11 people under the Disaster Management Act. They carried out symbolic rites near the Sanjauli cremation ground, calling it a half-ritual to signify their protest against what they described as “unfinished action” on the disputed mosque. Thakur criticised the Waqf Board for challenging the municipal court’s order, warning that the agitation would continue. “Hindus are united, and if the government does not act in time, the consequences could be grave,” he said. The mosque has been at the centre of tensions for over a year, with Hindu groups demanding its demolition and legal disputes still ongoing.