Indian court orders demolition of mosque in Himachal Pradesh
Ruling in Himachal Pradesh upholds earlier order declaring the mosque ‘illegal,’ deepening fears over rising attacks on Muslim religious sites across India
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A district court in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh has ordered the demolition of the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla, a city once known for its colonial architecture and religious harmony, after ruling that the structure was “illegally built.”
The verdict, coming amid a surge of Hindutva-driven campaigns targeting Muslim religious sites across northern India, has renewed fears of growing institutional complicity in anti-Muslim discrimination.
The court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Yajuvinder Singh, rejected the appeals filed by the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board and the Sanjauli Mosque Committee, which had challenged a May 2025 order by the Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s Court.
The judge said both parties failed to provide valid land-ownership documents, and therefore affirmed that the five-storey mosque must be completely demolished.
The dispute, ongoing since 2010, resurfaced after a recent wave of Hindu nationalist agitation in Sanjauli. The case gained renewed traction when local Hindutva groups and residents demanded the mosque’s removal, alleging it was built without authorization — a claim that community leaders say has been weaponized to fuel anti-Muslim sentiment.
Over the past two years, the same networks have staged protests outside the Sanjauli mosque, accusing its caretakers of “illegal encroachment.” Analysts note the pattern mirrors broader campaigns across India where Muslim religious sites — from mosques to shrines — have been targeted through legal and administrative action under the pretext of land disputes or zoning violations.
Lawyer Jagat Pal, representing local residents, said the verdict “clears the way” for the mosque’s demolition. Muhammad Latif of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee said the ruling will be challenged before the Himachal Pradesh High Court and, if needed, the Supreme Court.
Himachal Pradesh, known for its scenic Himalayan towns, has witnessed a surge in Hindu nationalist activity in recent years, with small towns like Sanjauli and Malyana emerging as flashpoints.
The ruling, observers warn, risks emboldening Hindutva groups already campaigning for stricter controls on Muslim religious institutions under the banner of “illegal construction.”
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