With spiraling tension over the Sanjauli mosque issue in Shimla, a Muslim welfare committee, on Thursday, met the municipal commissioner and demanded that the unauthorized portion of the mosque be sealed. It also offered to demolish it in compliance with a court order.
The committee consisted of the Imam of the mosque, besides members from the Waqf board and the mosque management.
The delegation, in a meeting with Shimla Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Attri, said that Muslims living there are residents of Himachal Pradesh since ages and all this was being done to keep peace and communal harmony intact.
"We have sought permission from the Shimla municipal commissioner to demolish the unauthorized part of the mosque situated in Sanjauli," Mufti Mohammad Shafi Kasmi, Welfare Committee member said.
As quoted, the Imam of the Sanjauli mosque said, "There is no pressure on us; we have been living here for decades, and this decision has been taken as a Himachali.". We want to stay in peace and brotherhood should prevail." Acknowledging the committee's representation, Attri said, "The delegation of the Muslim Welfare Committee requested sealing of the unauthorized portion of the mosque till the case is decided." He further said, "They said they would themselves demolish the structure if the decision of the case is against them."
The move was hailed by members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangarsh Committee, which had initiated protests against the unauthorized construction.
"We welcome the move of the Muslim community and would be the first to hug them for taking this initiative in the larger interest," said Vijay Sharma, representative of the samiti.
Hindu organisations had demanded demolition of the disputed structure and the registration of non-locals arriving in the state, which led to a Sanjauli bandh on Wednesday.
The situation flared into violence as at least ten persons, including six policemen and four protesters, were injured when police used batons and lobbed teargas shells to scatter crowds that broke through barricades and moved near the mosque.
The court of Municipal Corporation is presently hearing the case related to the unauthorized construction of the structure of the mosque, and the next hearing is scheduled on October 5.
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