Shimla, Sep 6: A large group of Hindutva organization members, BJP supporters, and local residents protested outside the Sanjauli Masjid here, accusing the mosque’s construction of being illegal. The demonstrators, waving the Tricolour and chanting Islamophobic slogans, called for the demolition of alleged ‘unauthorized floors’ in the mosque.
This protest follows an alleged attack on a businessman in the Malyana area and is part of a broader trend of increasing Hindutva activities. Rumit Singh Thakur, President of Dev Bhumi Shatriya Sangathan and a Hindutva leader, organized the rally, claiming it represented a show of “Sanatan unity” from across the state. Thakur also raised concerns about an influx of “outsiders” into Himachal Pradesh and urged the government to verify their identities and trades.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reportedly assured Thakur that action will be taken if the mosque is found to be illegal. PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that the issue is under review, with a hearing scheduled before the municipal commissioner’s court for September 7. Singh also noted concerns about the presence of immigrants in the region. The protest highlights a troubling rise in Hindutva actions and rhetoric across the country.
