Tensions Rise in Himachal Pradesh Over Mosque Demolition Issue

Protests erupted in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi town demanding the demolition of part of a mosque built on encroached government land. Police used water cannons to control the situation. The mosque committee began demolishing the unauthorized section themselves. Chief Minister Sukhu urged peace and lawful handling of unauthorized constructions.

Police used water cannons on Friday to disperse protestors demanding the demolition of a portion of a mosque built on encroached government land in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi town.

The mosque management committee has been served a notice by the Mandi municipal corporation to remove the encroachment within 30 days. The mosque covers 232 square meters of land, while approval was granted for just 45 square meters.

Protestors, shouting slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram,' marched through Mandi market before sitting on a dharna at Seri manch. When they attempted to proceed toward the mosque, police intervened, using water cannons to manage the situation.

Security was heightened with substantial police deployment after Hindu outfits called for the protest march. The Muslim community had already demolished an unauthorized portion of the mosque on Thursday.

The land in question belongs to the public works department. Notices were previously served to the mosque committee by both the department and the municipal corporation. 'PWD officials informed us that a wall of the mosque was on PWD land, so we decided to demolish it,' said Iqbal Ali, a committee member.

Members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal demanded the demolition of all illegal structures belonging to the Muslim community and other encroachments on government land statewide.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed for peace and brotherhood, asking everyone to refrain from provocative statements. 'No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands. We respect all religions,' Sukhu stated after an all-party meeting in Shimla.

The chief minister emphasized that protests, part of democratic rights, should be peaceful. He noted that the Muslim community had voluntarily begun demolishing unauthorized structures. 'They even demolished a portion of the mosque in Mandi on Thursday,' he added. The all-party meeting agreed on maintaining peace and upholding the law regarding unauthorized constructions.

(With inputs from agencies.)