On Thursday, several commercial establishments in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, observed a shutdown to support ongoing protests demanding the demolition of unauthorized portions of a mosque in the Sanjauli area.
Despite the shutdown, state-run and private transportation services, including buses and trains, continued to operate, and government offices and educational institutions remained open.
Demonstrators clashed with police, breached barricades, and caused disruptions on Wednesday, prompting the shutdown from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Trade unions joined the protest, causing most private hotels, restaurants, and shops to close.
As per IANS, Sanjeev Thakur, president of the Shimla Beopar Mandal, reported a total shutdown in the town as traders supported the demonstration.
A state police spokesperson reported that clashes at Sanjauli injured six police officers. Five officers received medical treatment and were discharged, while a female constable with a lumbar vertebrae fracture remains hospitalized at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH).
Tensions are reportedly high in Mandi and Bilaspur towns, where Hindu organizations are also calling for the removal of unauthorized mosques.
These groups argue that the Muslim population in the state, less than 2% of the total population of over 6.8 million, should not warrant such expansions and question the funding for these religious structures.
On Wednesday, protesters, many carrying the Tricolour and chanting slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Hindu Ekta Zindabad,’ marched towards Sanjauli to demand the demolition of a portion of the five-story mosque.
The police used mild lathi-charges and water cannons to disperse the crowds who had blocked the road to Sanjauli and removed barricades.
A protester stated, “Our sole demand is the demolition of the unauthorized parts of the mosque and to safeguard the state’s demographic balance.”
Shimla Shutdown: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Urges Peace & Order
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged citizens to avoid politicizing the issue and to maintain peace and order.
The controversy centers on demands by Hindu organizations for the removal of unauthorized structures within the mosque and the registration of non-local individuals in Himachal Pradesh.
There are also calls for the police to verify the backgrounds of local Muslims due to concerns about potential illegal immigrants.
The Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court addressed the matter on Saturday, scheduling the next hearing for 5 October.
The court has requested the Waqf Board and the mosque committee to clarify the mosque’s transformation from a single-floor to a five-story structure.
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