A storied mosque built on Jail Road in Mandi
The Sukhu government has now come into action regarding two illegal floors of a mosque in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh. The Mandi Municipal Corporation on Friday ordered the demolition of two illegal floors of a mosque within 30 days. Commissioner HS Rana’s court has given this order. About 30 years old, this three-storied mosque is located on Jail Road in the city.
There are allegations regarding the mosque that its upper two floors have been constructed illegally, after which it will now be demolished. There is also an allegation of encroachment on government land by building a wall along the mosque. However, this wall has been demolished by the Masjid Committee itself. Sukhu Sarkar came under fire regarding Masjid Vivar. Now the government says that what is appropriate will be done as per the rules. The government also assured the Hindu organizations in this regard. Now the Commissioner Court has ordered the demolition of two floors of the mosque within 30 days.
Accused of constructing two floors without permission
It was alleged that the mosque on Jail Road in Mandi had two floors built without permission. The case regarding this was going on in the Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court from June 2024. The land of this mosque is in the name of a Muslim woman. Earlier, the building was only one storey, but in March this year, two storeys were added on top of it.
The municipality had given a notice to stop the work in June. When an investigation was carried out, some of the land was found to belong to PWD. The wall adjacent to the road was also constructed illegally. In addition to illegal construction and encroachment, local people object to outsiders coming and living in this mosque. Locals allege that outsiders have started coming to live around the mosque and the population of the area is also being affected.
It is also alleged to have been a temple first
Some Hindu organizations also allege that centuries ago there was a temple on the site of this mosque, which the king gave to one of his Muslim weavers to offer prayers. Local people have demanded that excavations be carried out under this mosque and the archeology department should investigate whether there is a temple under the mosque. However, no concrete evidence of this claim by Hindu organizations has yet come to light.
