Protest in Shimla over 'illegal' mosque

New Delhi: A massive protest erupted outside the Sanjauli Masjid in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla with members of BJP, Hindu organisations and local residents demanding the demolition of what they allege to be an "illegal" mosque. The issue divided the ruling Congress as its own minister supported this demand.

The controversy over the mosque intensified on Wednesday after a heated discussion in the Himachal Pradesh assembly, which is in session. Congress MLA Harish Janartha and minister Anirudh Singh clashed over the mosque's legality.

Janartha had argued that there was no tension in the area and claimed that the mosque, built before 1960, had three additional storeys constructed illegally in 2010 on Waqf Board land. He said not only outsiders but local Muslims were living in the mosque, and that illegally constructed toilets had been demolished. Janartha accused certain elements of exacerbating the issue.