In Banda, Uttar Pradesh, a recent controversy has erupted over the alleged illegal construction of a mosque and multiple shrines on Bambeshwar mountain, a site believed to hold deep historical and religious significance for Hindus. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, have mobilised in protest, claiming the structures have been built on the mountain where Bhagwan Ram once offered Jalabhishek (sacred water) to Bhagwan Shiva.
The groups have formally appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging immediate action to dismantle the mosque and shrines, which they allege were constructed unlawfully during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
According to local Hindu leaders, the construction on the mountain began with a small shrine, which gradually expanded and transformed into a full-scale mosque. They claim that Muslim individuals began gathering and conducting daily Fatiha (prayer), with regular Friday prayers drawing even larger crowds. The VHP and Bajrang Dal contend that this gathering could pose a security risk due to a sudden rise in the number of Muslims settling in the vicinity, an area they assert had no prior Muslim population.
VHP Mandal President Ashok highlighted the security implications, noting the unauthorised influx of new residents near the temple site.
The mountain and its sacred Shivalinga have a storied place in Hindu mythology, believed to be the site where Bhagwan Rama performed Jalabhishek to honor Bhagwan Shiva. According to Hindu lore, Bhagwan Shankar (another name for Shiva) appeared before Rama at this location during his exile. The temple, known as Bamdev Bholenath, is managed by the local priest Puttan Maharaj, who voiced his opposition to the mosque’s presence, drawing parallels with other disputed sites such as Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura.
VHP representatives claim that the structures were gradually erected without permits, utilising makeshift means to develop the site. VHP official Chandramohan Bedi expressed frustration, suggesting the use of superstition to manipulate the local populace and gain ground on the sacred mountain. The organisation voiced concerns over the safety of the temple and other Hindu sites in the region if the unauthorised structures are allowed to remain.
In their letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Hindu groups called for a swift response, seeking the demolition of the structures and legal action against those responsible for the encroachment. VHP General Secretary Deepu Dixit used strong language to underscore the urgency, likening the mosque’s development to a “cancer” that requires immediate removal.
Hindu groups, led by Chandramohan Bedi and Deepu Dixit, warned that if the authorities do not act promptly, they would resort to self-initiated measures to remove the mosque and prevent further encroachment. They also requested punitive action against those behind the construction, suggesting the use of bulldozers on both the structures and the homes of those involved.
The opposition to the mosque by Hindu leaders like Puttan Maharaj, who heads the temple committee, indicates a groundswell of community support for the preservation of Bambeshwar mountain’s Hindu legacy. Maharaj cautioned that the situation could mirror past tensions seen in Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura if not addressed swiftly and diplomatically.
