Community Standoff: Sanjauli Mosque Demolition Amid Court Orders

The Sanjauli Mosque demolition, following court orders, is set to begin despite financial constraints. The chairman of the mosque committee, Lucky Mohammad Latif Negi, highlights community cooperation to maintain social harmony. Tensions rose after protests by Hindu organizations, leading to a legal mandate for partial demolition.

The chairman of the Sanjauli Mosque case committee, Lucky Mohammad Latif Negi, announced on Monday the commencement of demolition work on the illegal section of the mosque's roof. This decision follows the Himachal Waqf Board's approval for partial demolition, based on a court mandate from the Municipal Corporation Shimla.

Negi noted the demolition would extend over at least five months due to winter conditions and insufficient funding. He expressed a community challenge, revealing that while donations are commonly made for mosque construction, financial support for demolition is scarce.

Despite receiving permission from the Board of Trustees, funding was denied, necessitating more time for the work's completion. Negi communicated this to the Superintendent of Police and the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, following court instructions to demolish three unauthorized floors and a committee request to remove two floors to uphold societal harmony.

The Himachal Muslim Organization expressed intent to present the issue in court, with the committee's president affirming their right to legal recourse. Negi emphasized broad support from both the Muslim and Hindu communities in Shimla to preserve mutual brotherhood and social harmony.

(With inputs from agencies.)