The comprehensive 36-page fact-finding report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) offers an in-depth analysis of the violence and tensions that erupted in Himachal Pradesh. It meticulously documents the protests that took place in Sanjauli (Shimla), Mandi, Solan, Kullu, and Palampur with credible testimonies, highlighting the underlying issues that fueled the unrest. Through thorough ground reporting, the report examines the complex interplay of factors contributing to the communal tensions, including provocative rhetoric and community grievances. Additionally, it presents recommendations focused on civil society initiatives and long-term measures aimed at fostering dialogue and promoting understanding among diverse communities. The APCR’s findings underscore the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of conflict and build a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Background

In September 2024, communal tensions surged in Himachal Pradesh against a Mosque situated in Sanjauli, Shimla, on the call made by Vishva Hindu Parishad and other right-wing outfits over demand to demolish the alleged unauthorised structure of mosque. During the protests and rallies, derogatory slurs against Muslims and Islamophobic slogans were chanted by the mob of right-wing protesters on September 11, 2024.

These demonstrations fueled animosity and deepened divisions within the community, leading to heightened fear and insecurity among local Muslims. Amid this turmoil, the Congress government faced criticism for its failure to address the growing communal tensions in the state. The role of state ministers Vikramaditya Singh and Anirudh Singh, whose Islamophobic remarks during this period were seen as contributing to the escalating unrest.

The protests and rallies were started over the 14-year-old disputed four-storey mosque located in the Sanjauli area of Shimla. It is reported that the incident escalated and flared up from a stray incident as some people allegedly attacked a local trader with rods and sticks. Then a FIR was registered on 6 persons for alleged attack. It was alleged that all the accused then fled from there and hid in the Sanjauli mosque, resulting in communal tension and protests and slogans chanting against the allegedly illegal construction of the mosque in Sanjauli, claiming that the mosque was constructed illegally and without permission.

Sabrang India’s full report on Sanjauli Mosque dispute can be read here

Importantly, the issue got attention and media coverage when Himachal Panchayati Raj Minister and Congress MLA Anirudh Singh raised the issue of alleged illegal construction of the Sanjauli mosque, while claiming increasing theft in the area, raised love jihad concern before the State Assembly. Speaking at the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Singh demanded an investigation into the construction of Shimla’s Sanjauli Masjid and highlighted the alleged illegal construction of the mosque had led to tensions in the area.

“It has become difficult for women to walk in the Sanjauli market, and thefts are occurring. Love Jihad is another serious issue that needs attention and is dangerous for our country and state. Fights are taking place,” he addressed in assembly.

On the 7th day of Monsoon Session of Vidhan Sabha,
discussion held over illegal construction by the people of a particular community in Shimla and concerns arising due to increasing number of illegal migrants entering #HimachalPradesh. #Shimla #Sanjauli pic.twitter.com/hAq2CGk4Xg

— Anirudh Singh (@anirudhsinghMLA) September 4, 2024

APCR’s fact-finding report

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)’s fact-finding report reveals that the protest of September 11, took a violent turn with protesters clashing with police and attempted to breach barricaded in Sanjuali. As per report, APCR’s on ground reporting revealed that an incident preceded the conflict. An altercation between Hindu men and Muslim men in Malyana, which is around 9 kilometres from Sanjauli, led to injury of a few Hindu men. The FIR number 148/2024 was registered on 30th August, on the day of incident. The FIR registered on the complaint of 37-year-old shopkeeper Vikram Singh alleged that the accused Mohammad Kulnavaj and his men injured Singh and his friends Jaipal and Rajeev Sharma.

Following the incident, a rumour was spread that the Muslim men after hurting Hindu men took refuge in the Sanjauli mosque. After that the Sanjauli mosque became the target of Hindu far-right protests. The Malyana incident was utilised as justification for a march from Malyana to Sanjauli, with demands for the expulsion of Muslim outsiders and the demolition of the mosque, which Hindu far-right claimed as illegal.

According to report, after the fight in Malyana, on 1st September, the first protest rally against the mosque was taken out in Sanjauli. It was initiated by local Congress counsellors, local Hindu right-wing outfits and BJP members. Himachal Pradesh’s Minister of Rural Development Anirudh Singh and his Congress party colleague Harish Janartha also raised the mosque issue in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on 5 September.  In his widely viral speech from the assembly Anirudh Singh alleged that persons of Bangladeshi origin were living in the mosque and demanded that their identities be verified. He said, “They started construction without approval. It was an illegal structure. First, one floor was built, then the rest followed,” and later added, “They have a habit of engaging in illegal activities. They built a 5-storey mosque. This entire matter should be investigated.”

After the first major protest on 1st September, protest rallies against the mosque were also taken out on 5th September and on 11th September. The call for the 11th September protest was given by Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Hindu groups protested the mosque construction, demanding action. Protesters chanted slogans such as – “Mulle Katue nahin chalenge” “Masjid ko girana hoga” “Himachal Ne Thaana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” “Jai Sri Ram.

The report pointed out that from Sanjauli, the violent protests against Muslims spread to the entire Himachal including Shimla’s Nerwa and Kasumpti, Mandi, Chamba, Bilaspur, Una, Palampur, and Nagrota Bagwan of Kangra, Hamirpur, Sirmaur and other districts.

The report further reveals that the role of Congress leaders in the communal tension in Himachal Pradesh has been criticised as ineffective. According to reports, the Congress government failed to address the growing tensions, leading to increased fear within the Muslim community. The situation escalated to the point where protesters clashed with police and shops were vandalised in Mandi, Palampur, Sanjauli, Kullu, and Solan. The fact-finding team visited all these locations.

Importantly, the report also highlighted that Congress minister Anirudh Singh also questioned the citizenship of Muslim workers in Himachal Pradesh and Vikramaditya stated that all vendors will now have to display their IDs outside their shops. The decision was 6 rolled back after significant criticism. The lack of decisive action from Congress leadership allowed the situation to spiral out of control.

According to APCR, “The incident has exacerbated communal tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities, affecting local businesses and residents. The controversy highlights concerns about minority rights and freedom of religion in India. The rise of communal politics has contributed to increased tensions, with Himachal Pradesh becoming a focal point.”

Testimonies

Notably, the report captures testimonies from survivors and witnesses in Shimla, Sanjauli, Mandi, Solan, Kullu, and Palampur, revealing a climate of fear following recent communal tensions.

Altaf Hussain, a 25-year-old shopkeeper in Sanjauli, described how the peaceful environment has drastically changed, noting that many Muslims, particularly laborers from Uttar Pradesh, have fled due to fear of violence from Hindutva organizations. He expressed gratitude for local support but remains apprehensive about his safety.

Sunita, a 55-year-old neighbor of the mosque, witnessed firsthand the vandalism and aggression during protests, emphasizing that Muslims had never misbehaved and labeling the controversy as politically motivated. She voiced her fear during the protests and her efforts to reassure frightened Muslim families.

Anwar Ali, the general secretary of the mosque committee, highlighted the discriminatory rhetoric labeling Muslims as “outsiders,” asserting their integration into the community through personal connections, including attending Hindu weddings. The testimonies collectively illustrate the deepening divides and heightened anxieties within the community, stressing the urgent need for dialogue and understanding to restore harmony

Himachal Pradesh communal protests’ impact on Haryana elections

The report also highlights that there has been a well identified pattern to the communal violence in India often preceding elections. BJP and its ideological master, RSS has mastered the dreadful art of kicking off controversies and flaring up communal tension. Just before any election, there will emerge a concocted controversy involving Muslims to manufacture hatred and produce small- and large-scale violence against Muslims. To give a few examples – just before 2014 Lok Sabha elections large scale antimuslimism violence in Muzaffarnagar (2013) was manufactured on the false allegations of love jihad, Karnataka hijab controversy was kicked off to influence the 2022 UP elections and now Sanjauli mosque controversy that spread across Himachal was largely manufactured to affect the assembly elections in Haryana.

Police action so far

However, APCR fact-finding report mentioned that during September 11 protest in Sanjauli, around 10 people, including police personnel and women, sustained injuries during crowd control.   In Shimla, police booked 50 people for violence, including leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, panchayat chiefs and their deputies, former councillors, and shopkeepers. FIR was registered against the Hindutva protesters in Sanjauli, Nerwa, Mandi, Kullu, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Una, and Chamba. However, nobody has been arrested yet.

Recommendations of APCR’s fact-finding report:

Following the findings and testimonies of the report, APCR recommendations for addressing communal tensions in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Effective Governance: Ensure swift action against communal elements to prevent escalation of tensions, as seen in the Sanjauli mosque issue.
2. Inclusive Dialogue: Foster open communication between Hindu and Muslim communities to promote understanding and peaceful resolution.
3. Strengthening Law and Order: Deploy adequate security forces to maintain law and order, preventing clashes and vandalism.
4. Leadership Accountability: Hold elected representatives accountable for inflammatory statements, promoting responsible leadership.
5. Community Engagement: Encourage community-led initiatives promoting interfaith harmony and social cohesion.
6. Policy Reforms: Review and reform policies to address communal tensions, ensuring equal protection and opportunities for all citizens.
7. No Permission for Inflammatory Rallies: Deny permission for rallies that may incite communal conflicts, as identified by intelligence agencies or local authorities.
8. Government Support for Muslims: The government should take proactive steps to ensure Muslims feel secure, such as increasing police presence in sensitive areas and engaging in dialogue with community leaders.
9. Social Media Monitoring: Track and counter inflammatory content on social media platforms.
10. Swift Legal Action: Ensure prompt arrests and prosecution of perpetrators of communal violence.

Other recommendations:

Civil Society Initiatives

1. Community-Led Initiatives: Support grassroots initiatives promoting communal harmony.
2. Interfaith Coalitions: Form coalitions of community leaders, organisations, and individuals.
3. Advocacy Campaigns: Launch campaigns to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
4. Education and Research: Conduct research and educate the public on communal harmony.
5. Conflict Resolution Training: Provide training for community leaders in conflict resolution

Long-Term Measures

1. Education and Awareness: Integrate communal harmony and cultural sensitivity into school curricula.
2. Interfaith Initiatives: Encourage interfaith dialogues, cultural events, and community programs.
3. Economic Empowerment: Implement initiatives to promote economic equality and opportunities for marginalised communities.
4. Strengthening Institutions: Ensure independence and effectiveness of law enforcement, judiciary, and regulatory bodies.
5. Policy Reforms: Review and reform policies to address communal tensions, ensuring equal protection and opportunities.

However, The APCR’s report highlights the Congress government’s inaction and the Islamophobic rhetoric of its leaders as key factors fueling the communal violence in Himachal Pradesh. Titled “Creating the Muslim Outsider: Hate Speech, Migrant Vulnerability, and Faltering Law & Order in Himachal Pradesh,” the report critiques the ineffective responses of Congress leaders during escalating tensions, particularly focusing on the inflammatory remarks made by ministers Vikramaditya Singh and Anirudh Singh. These comments, coupled with a lack of decisive action, contributed to an environment of fear and insecurity among Muslims. The findings emphasize the urgent need for responsible leadership, community dialogue, and proactive measures to prevent future violence, ensuring a more inclusive and harmonious society. Addressing these issues is essential not only for restoring peace but also for protecting the rights and dignity of all communities in the region.

The full report can be read here

Related:

Tensions escalate in Himachal and Uttarakhand, multiple protest and rallies against mosques

Tensions escalate in Himachal and Uttarakhand, multiple protest and rallies against mosques

Temple-mosque politics: Right Wing’s communal hit list getting longer?

The post APCR’s Fact-Finding Report: Congress ministers remarks escalated the communal tensions in Himachal Pradesh appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Amid escalating tensions over the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla, the local Muslim welfare committee on Thursday (September 12, 2024) urged the municipal commissioner to seal the unauthorised portion of the mosque and also offered to “demolish it in accordance with a court order.” The committee made the request in a representation to Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Attri and said Muslims living in the Sanjauli are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh and it was taking the step to preserve harmony and brotherhood. Over the past fortnight, sketchy and one sided reports have appeared in commercial media. Activist Himanshu Kumar went to Shimla on a one person fact-finding to get to the bottom of the  Sanjauli Mosque dispute to the country. A report

Mahatma Gandhi had said that young people should go to villages and serve there. Following this I have humbly served the tribal communities throughout my life. This time, the Tribal Coordination Forum invited me to attend the Tribal Rights Day Conference, held just outside the city of Solan in Himachal Pradesh. Representatives from five tribal groups, including the Kinnaura tribe of Himachal Pradesh, participated in the conference. Around 2,500 representatives from tribal communities across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Daman Diu, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam attended the event.

After the conclusion of the conference, I went to Shimla, about 50 kilometres from Solan. A movement is currently underway there, demanding the demolition of an old mosque located in the Sanjauli area. I wanted to learn the truth about the situation in Shimla. I gathered information from senior journalists, lawyers of the Himachal High Court, student leaders, and social activists. I also obtained some documents. Since only one-sided reports are being spread in the media, I felt it was necessary to bring the truth about the Sanjauli Mosque dispute to the country.

Sanjauli is an area adjacent to Shimla. It is a busy market. In 1940, land was donated (waqf) for the mosque. It is important to understand the meaning of ‘waqf’. Waqf means a charitable endowment. When a person donates their land for religious or community work, in Hinduism, it is called ‘dharma’ or ‘dan’, and in Islam, it is called ‘waqf’. Just as in Hinduism, land donated for charitable work cannot be claimed or sold by an individual, similarly, waqf land cannot be claimed or sold. In Islam, a mosque can only be built on waqf land, not on private property. The management of such Waqf land is handled by an organisation called the Waqf Board. The document for the land donation in 1940 is in Urdu and is attached. So, the mosque was built on legitimate land.

When the land for the mosque was donated in 1940, the Waqf Board law had not yet been enacted in India. In 1954, the Indian Parliament passed the Waqf Board Act. After that, all community waqf lands of the Muslim community, including mosques, rest houses, cemeteries, or madrasas, whether built or vacant, were transferred to the Waqf Board, which was a completely legal process. The 1954 government document also confirms that the land for the Sanjauli mosque is recorded in government records as mosque property and belongs to the Waqf Board.

People from distant places from the Muslim community stay at the mosque. Hence, the mosque committee built a hall above the mosque for travellers to stay. For the construction of this hall, the previous BJP government even provided 12 lakh rupees from the government treasury using taxpayer money.

 Everything was fine until suddenly some people gathered and started demanding the mosque’s demolition, calling it illegal. Two stories are being told about this. The first is that a local Congress leader hired some Muslim labourers from Saharanpur but didn’t pay them fully. A dispute arose, and the Congress leader was beaten up. He then gathered a crowd and started the “remove outsiders and demolish the mosque” movement. The second story says that a Muslim barber working at a salon in Maliana was talking on his phone outside his shop. A drunk Nepali man passing by told him to speak quietly. The barber replied, “I am standing outside my shop, what’s your problem?” The Nepali man slapped him, leading to a fight. A Hindu man who intervened fell and got hurt. Though some Hindutva groups claimed it was an attack by Muslims, the injured man clarified that it was not intentional. This incident was used as a pretext by these groups to march from Maliana to Sanjauli, demanding the expulsion of Muslim outsiders and the demolition of the “illegal” mosque.

 Many intellectuals in Shimla told me that rallies were held across the state, instigated by the BJP, targeting places like Kullu, Paonta Sahib, Sunni, Ghumarwin, and Palampur. During a rally in Palampur, Muslim shopkeepers were harassed, and the hooligans proudly shared videos and photos of their actions on social media. A female social worker mentioned that, on one hand, the BJP claims Kashmir is an integral part of India, while on the other, they incite attacks on Kashmiris in other Indian cities, sending a contradictory message.

 Social activists and student leaders explained that just as the BJP falsely accused all Muslim traders in the town of Paprola in Uttarakhand and expelled them, similar communal tensions are being ignited in Himachal Pradesh. However, the BJP finds itself in a tricky situation with the Sanjauli mosque issue, as it had provided 12 lakh rupees for the construction of the travellers’ hall above the mosque and had also appointed an imam of its choice. As a result, the BJP is promoting its agenda through fringe Hindutva groups rather than directly involving its party.

 The role of Congress leaders and the Himachal Congress government has been extremely disappointing and shameful. A Congress minister even claimed in the Assembly that outsiders like Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims had entered and were disrupting the peace, which is entirely untrue. There are no Rohingyas or Bangladeshis in Himachal, nor is there evidence of Muslims involved in crimes. A local Hindu journalist remarked, “If these Muslim outsiders are criminals, where is the FIR? Where are the statistics proving their involvement in crimes?”

 Meanwhile, the Muslim community has expressed that they value communal harmony more than the mosque. If their Hindu brothers wish, they are willing to demolish the hall built over the mosque. The mosque committee and the Waqf Board have even written to the government regarding this. However, since the hall was built using government funds, the government cannot order its demolition. Shimla has 25,000 buildings, of which 8,000 are four stories high, exceeding the approved limit of two and a half stories. If the government takes action only against the hall above the mosque, it will have to apply the same rules to all buildings.

Shimla is a major apple market. Muslim traders from Saharanpur and western Uttar Pradesh come to buy apples in bulk, which they export across India and the world. But due to the recent anti-Muslim unrest, fewer Muslim traders have come this year, leading to a drop in the price of apples by 500 to 800 rupees per 20 kg box. According to reports, apple growers in Theog held a meeting with the protest leaders, complaining that their agitation was causing losses. The protest leaders responded by saying that religion is more important than apples.

 This entire episode reveals that a legitimate mosque is being targeted for demolition as part of a mischievous campaign, creating communal tension across the state. The Congress government has been ineffective, and fear has spread within the Muslim community. People are asking, ‘Where are those promoting ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ ? Why are Muslims being forced to live in fear under your government in Himachal?

On September 16, in Shimla, the CPI(M) and other democratic organisations held a meeting and decided to hold a rally on September 27 to defeat the communal forces and maintain communal harmony in the state.

Related:

Tensions escalate in Himachal and Uttarakhand, multiple protest and rallies against mosques

Unchecked Hate Speech Sparks Concerns for communal Harmony in Himachal Pradesh

The post Truth about the Sanjauli Mosque issue: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh appeared first on SabrangIndia.