An agitation in Shimla intensified on Thursday 28 November as the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti reaffirmed its opposition to Friday prayers at the Sanjauli mosque, which has been declared illegal by a court. The group appealed to the Muslim community to refrain from visiting the site, saying this would help preserve communal harmony in the area.
Members of the samiti have been holding demonstrations in Sanjauli for ten consecutive days. As part of their ongoing protest, they carried out Shastra Puja or weapon worship on Thursday. The ritual drew a sizeable gathering of supporters who reiterated their demand that prayers should not take place at the disputed location.
Vijay Sharma, co convener of the samiti, said the group would wait for a scheduled meeting with the administration on Friday 29 November before deciding its next steps. “We are awaiting the meeting with the administration. Our future course of action will be taken after that,” he stated. Residents in the locality have expressed concern over the mounting tension, although no incident of violence has been reported. Officials are expected to discuss security measures and legal aspects related to the site during the meeting, which is seen as crucial for lowering tempers.
Local authorities have urged all groups to maintain peace as they work towards a resolution. However, with both sides awaiting Friday’s discussion, the atmosphere remains watchful and cautious in Sanjauli.
