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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Mallikarjun Kharge expresses disagreement with L&T Chairman's 90-hour work week suggestion
New Delhi (PTI): Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday expressed disagreement with Larsen & Toubro Chairman S N Subrahmanyan's suggestion of a 90-hour work week and recalled that former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and BR Ambedkar had advocated that workers should not be made to work for more than eight hours in a day.
Addressing party leaders after the inauguration of the Congress' new headquarters located at 9A, Kotla Road here, Kharge lauded the work done by L&T Construction in constructing the new party headquarters.
"I would like to thank L&T construction...some dues are also left from our side," Kharge said to peals of laughter.
"I would like to thank L&T construction, architects, labourers involved in the construction. While I thank the company, but the company's CEO has made a remark of working 90 hours in a week. I don't agree with that," the Congress chief said.
A labourer works for eight hours and gets tired and that is why Nehru and Ambedkar had stated while making factory act that workers should not be made to do more than eight hours of work.
"After that someone said nine hours, but he (L&T chief) is now talking of 12 hours, 14 hours, he should leave that (view), but I thank the company because they have done a very good job. I would also like to thank the labourers for their hard work," Kharge said.
The Congress president also thanked Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for overseeing the work of construction and completion at the party's new headquarters.
Subrahmanyan had sparked an online outrage with his comments advocating a 90-hour work week and suggesting that employees should even give up Sundays.
"How long can you stare at your wife," he is heard saying in a purported video address to employees where he urged them to spend less time at home and more in the office.
His remarks reignited the work-life balance debate, first triggered by Infosys Co-Founder Narayana Murthy's suggestion of a 70-hour work week.
"I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays," Subrahmanyan is heard saying in an undated video circulating on social media.
"What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Come on, get to the office and start working," he further said.
