Shimla mosque dispute: Schoolchildren, parents endure anxious moments

Schoolchildren and parents suffered anxious moments when children had to be held back at their schools following a protest against the “illegal masjid” at Sanjauli, that took a violent turn.

Some parents, while rushing to pick up their children after getting a message from the school authorities, were caught up in the protest and a few even sustained some injuries.

“Why did the administration not keep the schools shut today when it knew so many people would enter the city? Both parents and children had such a harrowing time,” said a woman, tightly holding the hand of her little girl.

Another woman, who had picked up her little girl from the school, said the children in the schools looked quite scared.

“Many parents could not reach the schools quickly after getting a message from the school authorities in the afternoon and their children had to wait for a long time. The nursery-KG kids looked very scared,” she said.

Former Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan said it was unfortunate that little schoolchildren had to go through such a harrowing experience.

“Where was the need to create such chaos in the city? They could have protested peacefully and spared children and parents the anxiety they had to endure,” he said.