Mosque committee seeks Waqf Board approval for demolition

In view of the fact that the commissioner’s court has ordered the Sanjauli Mosque Committee to demolish the unauthorized three floors of the mosque located in Sanjauli area of ​​the state capital, the Sanjauli Mosque Committee has sought permission from the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board for this purpose.

In a letter written to the Waqf Board, the committee said the property in question was under the supervision and management of the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board. Therefore, the council is requested to issue necessary directions so that action can be taken in light of the order of the municipal commissioner’s court.

Sanjauli Mosque Committee Chairman Muhammad Latif said the mosque belonged to the Waqf Board. The board is also a party to the ongoing matter. Therefore, authorization from the Board of Directors is required to take further action.

“The letter has been sent to the CEO of Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board and further action will be taken as soon as permission from the board is received,” he said.

On October 5, the commissioner’s court had ordered the Sanjauli mosque committee to demolish the unauthorized floors in the next two months. The court had also ordered the committee to bear all expenses related to the destruction of the land. The decision regarding the remaining two floors of the mosque will be made on December 21.

The case, heard in the commissioner’s court since 2010, came to the fore when several Hindu groups began demanding the demolition of the mosque after a fight between a resident and people of a minority community in Malyana.

In September, Hindu groups staged massive protests in Sanjauli and across the state twice, during which they demanded that the Sanjauli mosque along with other illegal mosques in the state be razed and proper verification of unidentified migrants be ensured by the state government.

Order to raze three floors

• The commissioner’s court ordered the mosque committee to demolish the unauthorized three floors of the mosque located in Sanjauli area of ​​Shimla.
• Mosque committee chairman Sanjauli said the Waqf board owned the mosque and was therefore also a party to the matter.
• Therefore, authorization from the Wakq Board of Directors is required to take further action.
• In September, Hindu groups staged massive protests in Sanjauli and across the state demanding the demolition of the mosque.