We belong to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh and are deeply aggrieved by the gravity of circumstances that have built up in the last few weeks around the Mosque in Sanjauli, Shimla. It is a matter of serious concern that there has been mass mobilization against a religious minority community in our city. At an apparent level, Shimla has so far been a relatively peaceful place with the co-existence of many cultures, religions and ethnic identities. Many have taken solace in the fact that this hill town has been a quiet place respecting different religions and communities.
The present situation is extremely worrisome and disturbing to say the least. It is part of public knowledge that there are thousands of illegal constructions in Shimla and they are not being questioned. It is known that portions of the newly constructed wing of the Shimla Secretariat, also several buildings of prominent locals, the elite, capitalists, including temples in the city are illegally constructed. Then why is the Mosque being singled out? We have not seen mass mobilization against any illegal building so far, in fact it has been the other way around with Shimla folks arguing for retention policy and the legitimization of illegal constructions, then why this uproar against the Sanjauli Mosque? It is quite possible that many amongst those protesting against the mosque may themselves be involved in illegal consecutions given the fact that as per MC records, Sanjauli and other parts of Shimla are full of illegal buildings.
Given the larger climate all across the country in which those belonging to minority religious and caste groups are being silenced and made to feel small/insulted, we feel that even if the WAQF Board itself volunteers to demolish parts of the Mosque, this process will be extremely humiliating and fear inducing for the Muslims. Instead, we consider it is the ethical responsibility of the State to offer safety and full security to its minority communities. Already the news coming from Himachal suggests that there are distressing ripple effects of the controversy surrounding the mosque at Sanjauli. A suspicious questioning of the construction of several Mosques in many others parts of Himachal has already begun with threats and tensions looming large over the Muslim community in the State. We urge the political powers to safeguard the interests and protect the rights of the Muslims in Himachal where at present the Congress government is at the helm. The Muslims have lived in harmony with the others in Himachal and their role in building goodwill amongst people is actually exemplary.
The discourse of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ in our entire country, especially in Himachal at the moment, is very alarming and it is deeply threatening to those existing on peripheries and social margins. Looking at the Muslims residing in Himachal with a suspicious eye and by raising the slogan of there being ‘Bangladeshis’ and ‘Rohingyas’ is to further create undue unrest and fear in the minority community. (At another front, what is wrong in being a Bangladeshi or Rohingya—why do we want to look at them as if they are some sort of hardened criminals? Where is this tendency to ‘other’ the Bangladeshi’s and Rohingya’s stemming from? We must introspect deeply about this). We all know how suspicion and hatred ignites violence and how the politics of hatred has already played a highly divisive role, making deep inroads into the mind of ordinary Indian citizens by now.
We urge the State of Himachal Pradesh to take immediate action and stop the rising communal tension in Shimla, also all over Himachal. By saying that the matter of the Mosque is one of illegal construction, and by not attending to the communal shades in the ongoing incidents in Sanjauli, and elsewhere, is to turn a blind eye to a leaping and flaring fire. By honestly acknowledging the communal factors at play in this entire issue, there are chances that timely efforts may be initiated by the State and by the rational forces within the civil society which can go a long way in restoration of peace and communal harmony. We ask of the government and the people of Shimla, Himachal to rise to the occasion and to immediately recognize the need of the hour, i.e., to safeguard the life and interests of the Muslims (and other minorities) living in the State. It is only fair that the minority religious communities be granted their right to co-exist with respect and dignity in Himachal, and all efforts be made to maintain the secular culture of the State during this trying period. Amongst other steps to be taken, immediate protection of the Mosque, whether constructed legally or otherwise, in Sanjauli must be ensured.
Dimple (Amreen) Oberoi Vahali is a feminist working against the hetero-patriarchal paradigm in the society. She is part of an informal group egalitarian trails bridging…. that tries to bridge egalitarian, feminist, queer, environmental, class struggles and anti-caste movements, amongst others. She works for peace, non-violence, anti-fascism and for the appreciation of composite cultures amongst different religious communities. Since long she has been struggling for the rights of the Minority Religious Communities in Shimla and Delhi. She has also been striving for the rights of forests as a living bio- eco-process in Shimla. She can be contacted at [email protected]
