SEPTEMBER 6, 2024-  Protests intensified outside the Sanjauli Mosque in Shimla on Thursday as local BJP workers, Hindu organizations, and residents gathered to demand the demolition of what they claim to be an 'illegal' mosque. The protesters argue that the four-story structure violates construction regulations.

BJP worker Ankush Chauhan, speaking at the protest, stated, This mosque has been built illegally. The four floors of the mosque are illegal. It has been 10 years, but no action has been taken. This illegal mosque should be demolished.

The mosque became a flashpoint after a heated debate in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly between Congress MLAs Anirudh Singh and Harish Janartha over its legality. Janartha, defending the mosque, stated that the original structure was built before 1960, with three additional stories added illegally in 2010. He insisted that while some illegal aspects had been addressed, certain factions were inflaming tensions unnecessarily.

In contrast, Anirudh Singh stressed that the issue was not about religion but about illegal construction. He pointed out discrepancies in Tehbazari (hawker license) permissions, arguing that many of the 1,900 Muslim vendors operating in the state were outsiders and not bona fide Himachalis, calling for stricter vendor verification.

The protests have escalated the debate over religious and construction norms in the state, with local authorities under pressure to take swift action.