Discrimination based on faith is on the rise again as a right-wing group distributed signs to local vendors in Shimla, to convince people to buy only from Hindu shopkeepers. This malpractice also goes against the state government’s denial to reveal the identities of vendors.
Here’s everything you need to know about the dire situation.
The Starting Point:
The ongoing Sanjauli mosque row in Shimla is the main reason behind the disruption of peace in the region.
A brawl between a group of men from different religious communities, in Sanjauli, a sub-division of Shimla district, in August 2024, led to a hearing at the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioners court. The matter was about an “illegal” mosque structure built in Sanjauli, where protests started being held, calling for the demolition of the mosque.
“This is a case of illegal construction. The Waqf Board has been made a party to this so we had filed for a reply. They submitted their answers,” said Rahul Sharma, from the side of the civic body.
On the other hand, the Waqf Board has filed a reply in the court claiming that the land belongs to it and that the mosque’s construction was carried out in adherence to the rules. The addition of floors to the mosque took place under successive governments.
On October 5, the court ordered the demolition of the top three unauthorised floors of the Sanjauli mosque and gave a two-month deadline to execute its orders. The All Himachal Muslim Organisation (AHMO) has decided to challenge this mandate.
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The Reaction Of The Locals:
This issue has caused fissures to erupt among locals, as extremists exacerbate the problems. A local right-wing outfit, named Devbhoomi Sangarsh Samiti, is distributing signs labelled ‘Sanatan subzi wala’ to Hindu vendors in Sanjauli, in an attempt to “boycott vendors coming from other states”.
The group aims to persuade people to buy vegetables and other goods from Hindu shopkeepers and avoid purchasing from Muslim ones. A civil society group is helping distribute these signs, and shopkeepers are being asked to put them on their stalls.
“We are encouraging people to buy vegetables and fruits from locals. It is a kind of awareness drive,” said the samiti’s co-convenor Vijay Sharma in a conversation with The Print.
“People not only in Shimla but from other towns across the Himachal have been complaining about the demographic changes. You have seen how a five-storeyed mosque was constructed in Sanjauli. So, we are focusing on encouraging locals only,” he added.
“We distributed placards with ‘Sanatan Sabji Wala’ written on them among vegetable sellers. Nobody was forced to display the placard on his/her stall, vegetable vends, etc. We distributed placards only to differentiate between local vegetable sellers in Sanjauli sitting for a long time and those who come here frequently, disturb the peace and vanish,” said Vikas Thapta, associated with the DSS and the Civil Society Group.
An article by The Indian Express says that sources claimed that various shopkeepers removed these placards as soon as the civil society members left.
Vikramaditya Singh, a public works minister in Himachal Pradesh, had ordered the urban development department to ensure that street vendors reveal their names and identities, “especially those who sell food, fruit and vegetables.” However, after opposition within the party, Congress announced that no such decision had been finalised.
“The government buckled under political pressure. However, no one can stop us from displaying the board of ‘Sanatan subzi wala’ (Sanatani vegetable seller),” he said.
The Print spoke to some Muslim vendors in the area, who expressed their turmoil. “Displaying a name plate was a much better idea. But with these signs saying ‘Sanatan subzi wala’, people can discriminate against us based on religion. We are not Sanatani, we’re Muslims. But is that a crime?” said Altaf, one of the street vendors.
A comprehensive solution and dialogue to clear up the issues is yet to come.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, The Print, Hindustan Times
This post is tagged under: Shimla, Sanjauli, mosque, Sanjauli mosque row, The Print, article, Congress, state government, civil society group, right-wing, Himachal Pradesh, fruits, vegetables, vendors, Public Works Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, Vikas Thapta, placards, Sanatan Sabji Wala, Vijay Sharma, Hindu, Muslim, religion, discrimination, Devbhoomi Sangarsh Samiti, local, boycott, All Himachal Muslim’s Organisation, Waqf Board, Municipal Corporation Commissioner, court, hearing
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