Pithoragarh: Following the controversy related to alleged illegal construction of Mosque in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh also witnessed the protest of locals and many right-wing organizations demanding demolition of a mosque, citing illegality in construction.
In Pithoragarh’s Berinag area, ring-wing groups along with locals, had taken out a rally and held a sit-in protest against a mosque which they described as illegal and built unlawfully inside a house. They also demanded from the administration for its demolition.
Same outrage in Uttarkashi district
Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand also witnessed the same situation over a fortnight ago under which some right-wing organizations and locals have been demanding demolition of a mosque which is allegedly built. A ‘Mahapanchayat’ was also called by these organizations against the arrest of some workers for violating the rules during a protest against this Mosque construction.
Protest in Pithoragarh
On Saturday, in Pithoragarh’s Berinag area, a right-wing organization ‘Rashtriya Seva Sangh’ which alleged that a house owned by a member of a minority community was converted into a mosque in an unauthorized way, protested and raised slogans demanding the removal of an alleged mosque. Rashtriya Seva Sangh president Himanshu Joshi said that such kind of activities are disturbing the peace in the area, so that, we demanded form administration to stop people gathering inside the building to offer namaz and demolish it as it is built illegally.
SDM tried to persuade protestors
Berinag SDM Shrestha Gunsola tried to persuade the protesters but they did not agree. They demanded the SDM to seal the alleged mosque. On this, the SDM said that the case of this land is going on in the court in Berinag. “A summon is issued to Abdul Nazim, the owner of this house where the mosque is built, seeking clarification about the status of the building. In such a situation, it is not possible to seal the alleged mosque.” The SDM said that a notice will be issued by the administration in this matter and further action will be taken only after that. After this, the protesters barely agreed to end the protest.
What is the whole issue?
According to administration sources, the house where the Mosque was built originally belongs to Abdul Nazim who lives in Haldwani and people from minority community have started using this vacant house as a Mosque which caused a furor among the people living in the nearby areas. Later, agitated locals demanded for the demolition of the mosque.
Dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of this issue
Himanshu Joshi, president of Rashtriya Seva Sangh emphasized the duty of the locals to preserve the divine nature of the land. He voiced his dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the alleged mosque issue, stating that despite repeated demands, no significant actions have been taken. Multiple discussions have occurred between the protesters and the administration, yet the concerns remain unaddressed.
Section 163 was imposed in Berinag town
The police and administration were on alert regarding the demonstration. To ensure that the social harmony is not disturbed during the demonstration, a large number of police force was deployed here from Friday itself. Police have been deployed at every nook and corner here since Saturday morning. Additionally, section 163 was imposed in Berinag town.
