Representatives of Masjid committee submit a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner over the alleged illegal structure in a mosque, at Sanjauli in Shimla, September 12. (PTI Photo)

Muslim panel offers Shimla civic body to demolish 'illegal' portion of Sanjauli mosque

Shehzaad, the Imam of the Sanjauli mosque, said the Muslims want to stay in peace and have offered to demolish the alleged unauthorised portion of the mosque.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Muslim community approached Shimla Municipal Corporation
  • Protests by locals and Hindu organisations against mosque construction
  • Imam requested permission to seal or demolish illegal parts

Representatives of the Muslim community on Thursday approached the Municipal Corporation in Shimla, offering them to seal or demolish the alleged unauthorised portion of the Sanjauli mosque which has become a centre of controversy.

The move came after some locals and Hindu organisations staged a protest against the alleged unauthorised construction in the mosque. On Wednesday, some Hindu groups staged a massive protest in Shimla, and the police were forced to use lathicharge and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Shehzaad, the Imam of the Sanjauli mosque, said, "We have approached the Municipal Corporation and requested that if they feel some part of mosque is illegal, then the corporation must allow to seal it and if there is a need to demolish, the community must be allowed to demolish it on its own."

"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," he added.

Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Attri confirmed that an application had been received.

"They have offered to seal or demolish the illegal part (of the mosque) on their own. We are yet to find how much part is illegal," he said.

Members of the Dev Bhoomi Sangarh Committee who had given the protest call against the unauthorised construction in the mosque welcomed the move.

"We welcome the move of the Muslim community and would be the first to hug them for taking this initiative in the larger interest," member of the samiti Vijay Sharma said.

Earlier today, Shimla Beopar Mandal gave a bandh call, due to which shops remained closed from 10 am to 1 pm.

The case of unauthorised or illegal construction of some floors in the mosque is being heard by the court of the municipal corporation.