Local authorities in Laksar, Uttarakhand, demolished a mosque on Thursday following a complaint from the right-wing group Hindu Jagran Manch, which alleged that the mosque was illegally constructed on public land. The demolition, executed by officials from the Tehsildar’s office, Nagar Palika, and police, met with protests from the mosque’s builders, who argued against the action.
Tehsildar Pratap Singh Chauhan stated that the mosque’s construction was deemed unauthorized, despite previous warnings to halt work. Reports indicate that the Hindu Jagran Manch had previously organized protests against the mosque’s construction and filed complaints with local authorities.
In a video shared by IANS, a member of the Muslim community expressed frustration over the administration’s unwillingness to consider their documentation proving the mosque’s legitimacy.
This incident is part of a broader trend in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where Hindutva groups have intensified efforts against mosques, leading to widespread protests and demands for demolitions. In a related case in Uttarkashi, an administrative error ignited demands from Hindu groups to tear down a mosque they claimed was illegally constructed.
An initial Right to Information request revealed no records of the mosque’s land, escalating tensions in the community. However, subsequent investigations confirmed that the land is legally registered and the mosque is recognized under the Sunni Waqf. Local authorities are currently seeking to address the situation, while the Muslim community has called for action against those inciting unrest.
