Tension over mosque encroachment in Mandi

In Mandi, a large protest rally was held demanding the demolition of an allegedly illegal portion of a mosque on the Jail road. Organised by various groups and members of the majority community, the demonstrators marched from Seri Manch to the mosque, raising slogans against alleged encroachments by the minority community. Heavy police deployment ensured no untoward incidents occurred.

At Seri Manch, speakers addressed the crowd, with Kamal Gautam alleging that unregistered migrants were conducting business without paying taxes harming local traders. He also claimed a larger agenda behind encroachments in the region, urging authorities to investigate funding sources.

Amid rising tensions, the Muslim community took proactive steps on September 12 by voluntarily demolishing an unauthorised wall and room built on Public Works Department (PWD) land in front of the mosque.

Previously, on September 13, the Municipal Corporation court declared the mosque illegal, stating it was reconstructed without approval under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act. The court ordered the mosque committee to restore the structure to its original state.

The Ahle Islam Muslim Welfare Committee filed an appeal against the Municipal Corporation’s order. Subsequently, the Principal Secretary of Urban Development and Town and Country Planning, Himachal Pradesh, stayed the enforcement of the demolition order, preventing immediate action.

This issue highlights the growing tensions around alleged encroachments and migration concerns in the region, with both the administration and communities navigating a sensitive and legally complex situation.