Traders in Shillai, a subdivision of Nahan district, Himachal Pradesh, observed a half-day bandh, while thousands of residents participated in a protest march against the illegal construction of mosques across the state and the alleged influx of outsiders from a particular community. The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Shillai, addressed to Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, urging immediate action.
The protest, organised by the Shillai Vyopar Mandal, drew participants from several villages within the Shillai subdivision, all of whom gathered at the PWD guest house before marching through the main market to the SDM’s office. The protesters raised slogans promoting Hindu unity and calling for the removal of unauthorised religious structures.
The leaders of the protest, representing various Hindu and social welfare organisations, voiced their concerns over the large-scale presence of outsiders in Shillai. They claimed that many of these newcomers were from a particular community, a situation that they believe is part of a deliberate conspiracy to change the demographic composition of the state. They further accused local authorities and the police of negligence in verifying the identities and backgrounds of these migrants.
The protestors demanded that the district administration provide detailed information on the land and properties controlled by the Waqf Board. They called for a high-level inquiry into what they allege is a “well-planned conspiracy” to bring outsiders into the state with the aim of altering its religious and cultural identity.
Verification of the antecedents of migrant workers was one of the primary demands, with the protesters insisting that all such individuals be registered and their identities confirmed by the authorities. This demand follows an escalating series of protests across Himachal Pradesh concerning unauthorised mosque constructions and related security concerns.
The protest in Shillai was just one of several such demonstrations held in various parts of Himachal Pradesh over the past few weeks. The primary issue driving the protests has been the alleged illegal construction of mosques in the state, with protesters asserting that these structures violate local laws.
The issue has been brewing for over a decade but recently gained prominence after a violent altercation in the Malyana region of Shimla, where Muslim youths allegedly attacked Hindu traders with rods and sticks on August 30. One of the victims, Vikram Singh, a 37-year-old businessman, was critically injured, and four others were also hurt. This incident further inflamed tensions and resulted in large-scale protests in the region.
The Waqf Board has maintained that the mosques in question, particularly the one involved in the Malyana dispute, were built on legally owned land. However, critics claim that several unauthorised floors were added to the mosque without proper permissions. In response to the mounting tensions, the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for October 5.
A particularly alarming revelation that has fueled the protests is the discovery of 46 Muslim vendors in Shimla, all using Aadhaar Cards with the same date of birth. These vendors, all reportedly outsiders, had recently come to Himachal Pradesh under the pretext of setting up businesses. The local Hindu community, alarmed by this irregularity, filed a complaint with the police demanding verification of their identities.
This incident, combined with the broader concerns about the influx of outsiders, has sparked a wave of protests across the state, with residents expressing fears that the demographic balance of the predominantly Hindu region is being deliberately altered. Protesters have pointed to incidents like this as evidence of a coordinated effort to “Islamise” the region.
Himachal Pradesh, often referred to as ‘Devabhoomi’ due to its deep association with Hindu mythology and religion, has been the site of multiple protests in recent weeks. Large demonstrations have erupted not only in Shimla but also in other districts such as Kullu and Mandi.
In Kullu, a major protest was held against an illegal Jama Masjid located on Shriram Street in Akhara Bazaar. According to Hindu organisations, the mosque was built illegally on land owned by the Khadi and Village Industries Board. Although the mosque initially had only one floor when it was built in 1990-1991, it underwent reconstruction in 2017, and the structure now comprises four floors. Local Hindu groups have raised objections to the expansion of the mosque, and a correspondence with the Kullu Municipal Council dating back to 2017 confirms that the mosque was indeed built illegally.
The Hindu Jagran Manch and other Hindu organisations in Kullu held a march from Hanuman Temple in Ramshila to Dhalpur Chowk, demanding that the illegal structure be dismantled. The protesters also organised recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa near the mosque as a form of protest.
Protesters have argued that the fight against illegal mosque construction is not just about upholding the law but about preserving the religious and cultural identity of the region. Many fear that the large influx of outsiders, coupled with the rise in unauthorised religious structures, poses an existential threat to the Hindu-majority state’s cultural fabric.
The issue of unauthorised mosque construction and the alleged influx of outsiders has also reached the state assembly. Disagreements have surfaced within the ruling Congress party, with MLA Harish Janartha defending the construction of a mosque by stating that the land was owned by the Waqf Board since before 1960. However, he acknowledged that unauthorized floors had been added in 2010 and assured that they were subsequently removed.
