Himachal Minister faces backlash over Mosque allegations, sparks protests
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh has faced protests from his fellow Congress colleagues after he raised allegations that the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla was constructed illegally. Singh called for an investigation into the construction of the mosque and claimed that cases of "love jihad" had occurred in the area.
Singh questioned whether permission had been obtained before the mosque's construction. "They started the construction without approval. It was an illegal structure. First, one floor was built, then the rest followed," he said, adding, "They have a habit of engaging in illegal activities."
His remarks were met with strong opposition from other Congress leaders. MLA Harish Janartha denied there had been any prior tensions in the area, clarifying that the mosque was originally built before 1960. He admitted that three additional storeys were added illegally in 2010 on Waqf Board land, but stated that the unauthorized toilets had already been demolished. Janartha further alleged that some elements were attempting to escalate the issue.
State minister Jagat Negi emphasized that if illegal construction had occurred, strict action would be taken. Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh urged that the issue not be politicized, stating, "We respect everyone's sentiments and will act with justice. The government will take action in accordance with the law… Politics should not be played in the name of religion. Let the law take its course."
The controversy over the Sanjauli mosque construction became a heated topic of debate in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday, where Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the matter. "People of all religions are respected in the state… Strict action will be taken against those who take the law into their own hands. The reasons behind this situation are being investigated," he said.
**Right-Wing Protest in Shimla**
Amidst the political row, several right-wing groups staged a large protest at Chaura Maidan in Shimla, near the Vidhan Sabha, on Thursday. The protestors demanded the demolition of the Sanjauli mosque. The demonstration was led by Dev Bhumi Shatriya Sangathan president Rumit Singh Thakur, who called for "Sanatan unity" and claimed people from across the state joined the protest.
The protest followed an attack on a businessman in the Malyana area on September 1, allegedly by individuals from the Muslim community. The incident led to local residents demanding the demolition of the mosque. Thakur alleged that outsiders were migrating to Himachal Pradesh in large numbers and called for the government to verify their identity and register their trades. He also said that the Chief Minister had assured him of action in the matter.
**CM Calls for Unity**
Chief Minister Sukhu, addressing the ongoing tensions, reiterated that all residents of Himachal Pradesh have equal rights. "Peaceful protests are permitted, but nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," he stated, emphasizing his respect for all religions while calling for calm and adherence to legal processes.
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Integrity of electoral process severely compromised, Cong to soon launch movement: CWC
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday and adopted a resolution alleging the integrity of the entire electoral process was being severely compromised against which the party would soon launch a movement.
In the resolution of the top body of the Congress, the party said free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that was being called into "serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission".
The CWC, which met amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, said the session has been a washout so far because of the Narendra Modi government's "stubborn refusal" to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues -- "the recent revelations regarding corruption by a business group, and the violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal".
Asked why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution does not name the business group, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The answer is the Adani group".
"The CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission.
"Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement," the resolution stated.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ramesh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, party general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the party discussed the political situation in the country for four-and-half hours and adopted the resolution.
He said the CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into electoral performance and organisational matters.
About the Assembly polls results in Maharashtra, Venugopal said the electoral outcome in the state was "beyond normal understanding and it appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation".
