Shimla: Muslim Body To Challenge Court's Order Against Sanjauli Mosque

Shimla: A Muslim body of Himachal Presh on Wednesday decided not to comply with orders of Shimla Municipal Commissioner's Court to demolish three "unauthorised" storeys of disputed Sanjauli mosque.

Shimla Municipal Commissioner's (MC) Court h on October 5 ordered demolition of three "unauthorised" stories of disputed five-storey Sanjauli mosque in Shimla. It gave two months time to Waqf Board and president of Mosque Committee to execute orders. Court observed that committee h itself offered to demolish unauthorised portion of mosque.

All Himachal Muslim's Organisation (AHMO) said order would be challenged in court of appellate authority.

Court ordered demolition of unauthorised section of Sanjauli mosque in Shimla

"A meeting of organisation held in Shimla to review order of MC Court unanimously concluded that persons who gave undertaking to demolish unauthorised stories of mosque h no authority to make any such submission and orders passed by MC Court are contrary to facts," said AHMO state spokesperson Nazakat Ali Hashmi in a statement issued.

He said land belongs to Waqf Board. mosque is 125 years old and unauthorised storeys are not illegal, he ded. Hashmi said even though approval of maps is lying with authorities, MC Court ordered demolition of storeys.

" matter regarding curbing of our rights, unsuccessful attempt to damage our religious places and hurting our sentiments would be taken to Supreme Court," he ded.

Referring to Mosque Committee members, Hashmi said people who gave representation and which was me basis for passing order were neir authorised by Waqf Board nor y were office-bearers of any Muslim organisation.

"It was ir personal opinion and Muslim community does not agree with it," he said.

Hashmi said MC Court passed orders on basis of application of some individuals and did not bor to ascertain owner of land, stakeholders, those who are authorised to demolish structure and those who are authorised to ple case.

"We will appeal in court of appellate authority after we receive certified copy of order and fight till Supreme Court," Hashmi ded.

On September 11, 10 people were injured during a protest demanding demolition of a portion of a mosque in Sanjauli area.

A day later, Muslim Welfare Committee gave a representation to municipal corporation commissioner asking to seal an unauthorised portion of mosque located in Sanjauli in Shimla and said y will mselves demolish unauthorised portion.

"We h alrey offered to demolish unauthorised floors of mosque on September 12 and we have no objection with order. We are rey to demolish unauthorised floors," Sanjauli Mosque Committee president Muhamm Latif h said.

After Sanjauli protest, water cannons were used in Mandi on protests demanding demolition of encroachment by a mosque on government land in Mandi town.

Similar demands were raised at several or places in state which were followed by protests in district hequarters demanding scrapping of Waqf Board and identification and verification of migrants coming to work in state.