Sanjauli shrine issue taken up in House

The issue of unauthorised construction of a religious shrine by a minority community in Sanjauli area of the state capital threatening communal harmony echoed in the Vidhan Sabha with Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh and local MLA Harish Janartha taking diametrically opposite stands.

The issue was raised under Rule 62 by Chopal MLA Balbir Verma and Shimla (Urban) MLA Harish Janartha. Even as Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh urged all concerned to tread cautiously on a sensitive issue like this, Anirudh and Janartha stood their ground.

“Himachal is known for maintaining communal harmony and all communities have been living here peacefully. I assure action will be taken as per law and the case for unauthorised construction at the site is being pursued by the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) as per the law,” he assured.

Raising questions of inaction by successive regimes, Anirudh Singh said there was an urgent need to register and check antecedents of all outsiders working in the state capital. “Has permission been taken to open the religious place from the government. I am not against any religion but a four-storeyed unauthorised structure was raised despite registration of a case,” he said.

Raising questions on the role of the SMC, the minister said despite 44 court hearings in10 years why no action has been taken against habitual offenders. Janartha said the SMC should take action as per rules but nobody must be harassed on religious grounds.