Sanjauli Masjid controversy: Hindu organizations violated section 163, former office bearers of Hindu Jagran Manch detained

Shimla, September 11: The famous Masjid Controversy in Sanjauli, a suburb of Himachal’s capital Shimla, is continuously gaining momentum. Despite section 163 being implemented in Sanjauli, people associated with Hindu organizations gathered for the protest. This made the atmosphere here slightly tense. The protesters also raised slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri Ram. However, the police have chased away the protesters.

People of the Hindu community around Sanjauli are also expressing their protest by raising slogans. Fearing tension, businessmen have closed shops in Sanjauli market. People are being prevented from entering from the entrances of Sanjauli. The main entrances of the suburb Sanjauli have been closed for pedestrian and vehicular movement.

A large number of protesters are raising slogans near Dhali Sabzi Mandi. To prevent them from moving towards Sanjauli Mosque, movement has been stopped at both ends of Dhali Tunnel.

Former General Secretary of Hindu Jagran Manch Kamal Gautam, who reached Sanjauli with his supporters, has been taken into custody by the police. Kamal Gautam said that keeping in mind the sentiments of the Hindu Society, I have reached Sanjauli in their support and efforts are being made to suppress the voice of Hindus. Some people reached Sanjauli under the banner of Civil Society and started raising slogans. But the police chased them away. Police riot control vehicles have also been deployed in Sanjauli to control the situation. The district police has deployed all six battalions of the state in Sanjauli. The mosque site has been completely sealed.

Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi, who is present with the police force in Sanjauli, has denied any kind of tense situation. He says that the situation is normal and day-to-day work is going on like other days.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap (DC Shimla) said that Section 163 is applicable in Sanjauli area and action will be taken against those who stage dharna-demonstration without permission. He has appealed to the people to maintain peace.