In a classic case of saying one thing and doing another, the Muslim community in Shimla’s Sanjauli area has done a spectacular U-turn. After initially presenting themselves as the epitome of law-abiding citizens, eager to demolish the illegal floors of the mosque in response to local Hindu protests, they are now singing a different tune. The same people who once confidently nodded in agreement to remove the unlawful construction are now preparing their legal arsenal to challenge the very demolition they had supposedly agreed to. Seems like demolition was all fine and good until it came time to actually swing the wrecking ball!

On Saturday, the Municipal Commissioner Court made things clear as day: “The Court gave two months to the Masjid committee and Waqf Board to complete the demolition process,” yet here we are, with the sound of court papers rustling louder than any construction equipment. Apparently, two months is not enough time to demolish three floors, but it's just enough time to draft a petition and march off to the High Court.

The cherry on top of this unfolding drama? “The unauthorized portion of the mosque in the Mandi region was erected on land belonging to the Public Works Department (PWD),” which should have made the case pretty cut-and-dried. But, alas, what’s a good legal battle without dragging it out? The mosque committee was handed a 30-day deadline by a local court to dismantle the illegal part, but instead of rolling up their sleeves, they seem more interested in rolling out legal objections.

It’s almost poetic, really—the rapid change from promises of swift compliance to an eagerness to exploit every possible loophole. One could almost believe they had an “appeal to the High Court” option hidden up their sleeve all along. What was once a noble pledge to undo the wrong has now transformed into an extended legal saga, leaving locals wondering if the demolition plan was ever anything more than just talk.

Tensions in Shimla reached a boiling point when Hindus took to the streets, launching large-scale protests and shutting down businesses to demand the demolition of the illegal construction at the Sanjauli mosque. The frustration of the local community was palpable, and their demands were clear: they wanted the unlawful structure removed. The mosque’s committee, perhaps feeling the pressure from the protests, decided to take a seemingly cooperative stance. They applied to the Municipal Corporation, asking for the illegal portion of the building to be removed, but with an interesting twist—they claimed that the structure was put up by “outsiders” who had come into the area.

In an effort to maintain public harmony, the Muslims assured the authorities that they had no objection to the removal of the illegal construction. “They wanted to do this in the name of brotherhood and harmony,” they alleged, offering what appeared to be a gesture of goodwill. The situation seemed to be heading toward a peaceful resolution, with both sides working together to address the issue.

On 5th October, the Municipal Corporation approved the request, deciding that action would indeed be taken to dismantle the illegal floors of the mosque. Shimla’s Municipal Corporation Commissioner issued directives accordingly, making it clear that the mosque’s three unauthorized storeys would have to go. “The mosque committee is set to receive a formal directive on this as well, shortly,” a source confirmed.

However, in a swift reversal of their earlier promises, the All Himachal Muslims Organisation has now decided to oppose the move. Despite their previous assurances, they have chosen to take the matter to the High Court. This decision was made during a meeting held on 9th October by the group in Shimla.

In a move that has further complicated the situation, the Muslim group opposing the demolition of the Sanjauli mosque has made it clear that they plan to challenge the Municipal Corporation’s order in the High Court. According to the group, they intend to fight for “the right to freedom of religion for all Muslims,” framing the case as a matter of religious rights rather than an issue of illegal construction. The group went so far as to declare that the decision was “beyond facts and cannot be accepted at any cost.”

However, the Sanjauli Mosque Committee is taking a very different stance. In an interesting turn of events, the committee has denied supporting the claims made by the larger Muslim group. The Mosque Committee has expressed satisfaction with the Municipal Corporation’s decision and has emphasized that it was their own choice to comply with the order. They have also taken the opportunity to distance themselves from the Muslim organization’s plans to challenge the order. “It was their own choice and had disassociated themselves from the Muslim organization’s decision,” the committee firmly stated, showing a clear divide within the community on how to handle the situation.

The head of the Mosque Committee, Latif, further added clarity to the committee’s position. “He will begin demolishing the mosque’s undamaged portion as soon as a copy of the order is received,” Latif affirmed, signaling his commitment to following the court's directive. Latif also pointed fingers at the Muslim group, accusing them of inciting individuals and stirring up unnecessary tension in the already volatile situation. His strong words highlight the growing discord within the Muslim community on how to handle the mosque’s illegal construction.

In a political twist, Congress minister Anirudh Singh, during his speech in the state assembly, also pointed out that the mosque was unlawfully built, adding fuel to the fire. His comments, however, caused a divide within the Congress party, with leaders taking conflicting positions on the matter. It seems that the issue has not only divided the Muslim community but also triggered disagreements within the political landscape, further entangling the already complex dispute surrounding the mosque’s demolition.

Hindu organization’s ultimatum on Mandi’s Mosque

Tensions have escalated further as Hindu organizations have now issued a stern ultimatum regarding the illegal construction of the mosque on Jail Road in Mandi. Their patience appears to be running thin after weeks of inaction from the Muslim community, despite the clear orders for demolition. In September, the Municipal Corporation officially declared the construction of the mosque illegal and promptly issued a notice for its demolition. “It also cut off the electricity and water connection of the mosque,” as a decisive step to enforce the order and to prevent any further unauthorized activities in the building.

The Municipal Corporation’s notice was not just a formality—it came with a firm deadline. “The illegal part of the mosque has to be demolished by 12th October,” the notice stated. However, as the deadline rapidly approaches, no significant action has been taken by the Muslim community to comply with the order. This continued inaction has led to growing frustration and anger among the local Hindu organizations, who have been following the developments closely.

As the deadline looms, Hindu groups are losing patience. The lack of any visible steps towards demolition has “infuriated the Hindus,” who are now threatening to escalate the situation further. If no action is taken, they have warned that they will “surround the Municipal Corporation office” in protest, demonstrating their resolve to see the illegal structure removed. Their message is clear: compliance with the court order is non-negotiable, and continued delays will only result in further unrest.

With the deadline just days away, all eyes are on the Municipal Corporation and the Muslim community to see if they will take the necessary steps to avoid a confrontation. The situation remains tense, and the pressure from the Hindu groups is mounting, signaling that a peaceful resolution is becoming increasingly difficult as time runs out.