Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti holds statewide protests, demands razing of ‘illegal’ mosques
The Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti today staged statewide protests in all 12 district headquarters against “illegal” mosques and migrants. The samiti demanded the demolition of the mosques, including the one at Sanjauli, and abolishment of the Waqf Board.
In Shimla, hundreds of samiti members, along with people associated with Hindu outfits, staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They also held a rally from the DC office till Sher-e-Panjab Restaurant on The Mall while raising religious slogans.
After the protest, samiti members submitted a memorandum to the President of India, via the Shimla DC. Similar memorandums were submitted to the President via DCs in all districts of the state. Bharat Bhushan, convener, Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, said the protests were being held to warn the government.
He said several illegal mosques and shrines were being built on government land in the state. He said no action was being taken against illegal mosques and migrants in the state.
“The Waqf Board is continuously asserting control over government land in the region and creating problems for poor Himachalis in buying and selling their land. The number of illegal migrants, including Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas, is steadily increasing,” said Bhushan.
“All of these serious issues are contributing to demographic imbalances in Himachal Pradesh and reducing Himachal residents’ employment opportunities. Moreover, illegal migrants are allegedly luring local young women and girls, which has stirred unrest among the people of the sacred land,” he said.
Bhushan said ministers were demanding the verification and demolition of illegal structures in the Assembly. “Leaders and ministers who speak against illegal mosques and migrants are being summoned to Delhi to silence them,” he added.
Criticising the state government for its inaction against illegal mosques and migrants, he said, “The administration has maintained a consistently negative stance. Ministers have publicly acknowledged the presence of 4,000 to 5,000 Bangladeshi and Rohingya in the state. Despite this, the police have not made efforts to locate them. Instead, those raising concerns are being threatened.”
He also announced that on October 5, the day on which the hearing of Sanjauli’s mosque is scheduled at the Municipal Commissioner’s court, members of the samiti and local residents would recite Hanuman Chalisa at home and offer prayers at the Sankat Mochan temple.
“If the decision favours the people of Himachal, it will be welcomed. If not, the movement will be intensified and a “Jail bharo andolan” will be launched for which the government be held accountable,” he added.
