The Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti on Friday called off their protest after claiming that the administration has agreed to meet their demands. They had been demanding the immediate sealing of the Sanjauli mosque, which a court has declared illegal. The mosque is located in the suburbs of Shimla town.
President of Hindu Raksha Manch, Kamal Gautam, said talks with officials had been underway since Thursday night, and they have agreed to all their demands.
The demands included the immediate sealing of the mosque, cutting its electricity and water connections, and withdrawing the FIR against those who tried to stop Muslims from praying last Friday. Gautam said some demands would be fulfilled right away, while others would take some time.
He added that an eight-member panel of the Samiti would meet the Additional District Magistrate of Shimla on November 29 to complete legal formalities. However, the hunger strike would continue until the issue is fully resolved.
The Samiti had given a call for a massive protest in Sanjauli on Friday and had warned that people would not be allowed to offer ‘namaz’ at the mosque.
Members also requested locals not to send their children to school to avoid inconvenience and assured that they would not go near the mosque or damage the structure.
Samiti members had been on a hunger strike till death for the past four days to press their demands. Last Friday, members had stopped some Muslims from offering prayers at the mosque, and as the situation grew tense, some people returned without praying.
After the incident, police registered a case against six people for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
However, Samiti members argued that the mosque has already been declared illegal by the court, and therefore prayers should not be offered in what they call a “disputed and illegal structure.” On October 30, the District Court, Shimla, upheld the Municipal Commissioner Court’s order to demolish the mosque.
"The court ordered the demolition of the illegal structure, but it is yet to be done. Instead of disconnecting the electricity and water connections of the mosque, members of the Samiti are being harassed and cases have been filed against them," Sharma alleged.
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