Sanatan Prabhat > Location > Asia > India > Himachal Pradesh > It is difficult for women to walk through here, Love Jihad incidents are happening : Anirudh Singh, Congress

It is difficult for women to walk through here, Love Jihad incidents are happening : Anirudh Singh, Congress

  • Illegal mosque case in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

  • Hindus once again protest, surround the mosque

  • Congress Minister Anirudh Singh’s statement during the protest

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) – The protest of Hindus against the illegal 5-storied mosque in Sanjauli suburb continues to take place. On 5th September, hundreds of people, led by Devbhoomi Regional Organisation president Rumit Singh Thakur, marched in protest through the Sanjauli market, surrounding the mosque. They have given the Government a two-day ultimatum to take action against the mosque. During the protest, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister of the Congress Government, Anirudh Singh, arrived at the spot and said, ‘It has become difficult for women to walk in the Sanjauli market, and incidents of Love Jihad are happening, which is dangerous for both the State and the country’. His statement has been criticised by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

Mosque has been built illegally, Minister clarifies

Minister Anirudh Singh stated that the mosque was built illegally. Initially, it was constructed as a single-storey building, but without permission, it was extended into a five-storey structure. He questioned why the administration has not yet disconnected the water and electricity supply to the mosque. The clashes and violence in the area involve not just locals but outsiders as well. Singh also emphasised the need for proper verification of individuals coming to work in the State, stating that only natives of Himachal Pradesh should be given business licenses.

The opposition BJP has also supported Anirudh Singh on this issue. On 1st September, a group of Muslims attacked a local businessman, Yashpal Singh, in the Malana area, resulting in 14 stitches on his head. Following this incident, angry locals protested in front of a nearby mosque, demanding its demolition.

Owaisi’s criticism and Anirudh Singh’s retort

Criticising Minister Anirudh Singh’s statement, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi questioned whether the Government of Himachal Pradesh belonged to the BJP or the Congress, commenting that ‘Himachal Pradesh’s so-called Mohabbat ki Dukaan is filled with nothing but hate’.

Responding to Owaisi’s remarks, Singh said, ‘Temples and mosques are not private properties. The issue here is about legality. Illegal is illegal. Owaisi’s politics thrives on a single community. He should focus on his own State. The issue of outsiders is serious, and it is essential to verify their identity. People with criminal backgrounds are entering Himachal Pradesh’.

Rohingya Muslim intrusion in Himachal Pradesh

On 4th September, Minister Anirudh Singh informed the State Assembly that new people are coming to Himachal Pradesh every day. He raised concerns about the presence of Jamaat members, whose whereabouts are unknown, asking whether these people are Rohingya Muslims. He mentioned that he personally knows one or two people who have come from Bangladesh. He revealed that so far, 6,357 square feet of the mosque’s construction is illegal. Even more concerning is that someone attending Court hearings related to the mosque case was discovered in 2023 by municipal corporation of Shimla to have no connection to the case. Singh questioned whether administrative officers had even checked the person’s relevant documents.

Mosque case pending in Court

Shimla Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Atri stated that the mosque was initially granted permission for only one floor, but an additional three floors were illegally constructed. The case is pending in Court, and the Waqf Board has also been made a party in it. Since the case went to Court, no further construction has taken place.

Kamal Gautam, former president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, said that the land where the mosque is built belongs to the Himachal Pradesh Government. He claimed that the Waqf Board is not a board but a land mafia, adding that Himachal Pradesh is becoming a haven for criminals, endangering the holy land.

Editorial Perspectives

  • When illegal construction cases go to Court, they often drag on for years. The Government must ensure fast track hearing process.
  • Why does Congress fail to realise what one minister of its party understands ? Or is the party turning a blind eye for the sake of appeasing Muslims ?

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