On September 17, 2024, the prominent English daily ‘The Tribune’ published a story titled ‘Sanjauli mosque row rooted in anti-minority sentiment’. Tikender Singh Panwar authored this article. Panwar Saheb has held positions such as Deputy Mayor of Shimla. If the title of an article by a communist writer is like this, it contains nothing new. Before reacting to this article, I believe it is vital to write what Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar said regarding communists. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had said, ‘It is absolutely impossible for me to keep relations with the communists. I am an implacable enemy of the Communists.”
On page 878 of Volume 15 of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, it is written quoting Ambedkar, “Can communism and free democracy work together? Can they live together? Is it possible to hope that there will not be a conflict between them? The theory, at any rate, seems to me utterly absurd, for communism is like a forest fire; it goes on burning and consuming anything and everything that comes in its way. It is quite possible that countries that are far from the center of communism may feel safe because the forest fire may be extinguished before it reaches them, or it may never reach them. But what about the countries that are living in the vicinity of this forest fire? Can you expect that human habitation and this forest fire can live together for a long time?”
Rather, after the 1940s, Ambedkar started making persistent anti-Communist statements. On the eve of the 1946 elections, he declared through his paper, Janata, to ‘Beware of the Communists’.
The preceding thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar are sufficient to comprehend the character of communists. Now let us have a look at Tikender Panwar’s article. The article began with a comment under changed name Vinod in which Panwar suggests developing a policy during his tenure, however in the end he states, “This highlights that the issue is not just about legality but also has a strong religious undercurrent, and thus a different narrative is being built.”
Panwar, as a communist, initiated his class struggle campaign by leveraging concepts such as legality and religious undercurrent in the Sanjauli matter. However, there is more to this issue than meets the eye. Panwar failed to elucidate the sudden eruption of the Sanjauli Masjid issue and the reasons behind the protests in Himachal.
The truth behind the Sanjauli Masjid controversy is rooted in a conflict in Malyana village. A local resident named Vikram Singh was assaulted by individuals in Malyana, Shimla, resulting in a serious head injury. Subsequently, the police apprehended six individuals following a complaint from the victim. The accused of the crime were all Muslims from other states, with five of them being residents of Muzaffarnagar in UP and one from Uttarakhand. These accused were identified as Gulnawaz (32 years), Sarik (20 years), Saif Ali (23 years), Riyan (23 years), and two minors. Local residents claim that after committing the crime, the accused sought hide in Sanjauli Masjid.
There are now questions about whether Panwar justifies the assault on local people, as well as about whether a mosque should serve as a hiding place for criminals. It is also noted that Panwar did not include statements from the women of Sanjauli in the article, in which they described how outsiders visiting the mosque misbehave with them. As per local women, these outsiders have been seen using the toilet leaving door open, and when confronted about this, they engage in indecent behavior. Is such indecent behaviour towards women justified? Furthermore, what was the reason for Panwar’s omission of Salim Khan in this article, a tailor from outside Himachal? Is it possible for Panwar to leave Himachal and engage in unauthorized construction similar to Salim Khan?
Furthermore, in the article, Panwar discusses various buildings in Shimla, including the Central Vista of Delhi, in the context of legal and illegal construction. This discussion seems to be aimed at justifying the construction of illegal mosques in Himachal, including in Sanjauli.
The illegal construction of the Majaars and mosques in Himachal began only in recent years, with the influx of people from other states, particularly from Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, most of whom are Muslims. These individuals work as tailors, barbers, and hawkers in Himachal, leading to losses for local traders. It is important to note that people from Jammu and Kashmir have been working as hawkers or labourers in Himachal for a long time, but such protests have not previously occurred. However, with the increasing number of Jamaatis and hawkers from Uttar Pradesh in Himachal, issues such as theft, love jihad, illegal mosque construction, and missing children have arisen, causing resentment among the local population. Panwar neglected to include these facts in the article.
Further Panwar writes, “The Sanjauli Mosque stands on land owned by the Waqf Board….”
In 2019, the individual held accountable for the illegal construction was declared an ex-party by the Municipal Corporation. However, no action has been taken in this regard up to 2023. Subsequently, the Waqf Board became involved in the issue. However, the same Waqf Board claims in the Shimla court that the land is theirs, but they do not know who constructed the four floors of the mosque. On the other hand, the opposing party argues that the land belongs to the government’s Revenue Department and that the Waqf Board is encroaching on it. The question arises Why was the Waqf Board not fighting this case before 2023?
How the Waqf Board acquired land in Devbhoomi Himachal, known for its temples and sacred sites? Considering the minimal Muslim population and fewer mosques in the state, it is perplexing how the Waqf Board has become the landowner. Is there a conspiracy within government departments such as land and revenue to transfer land to the Waqf Board? It is imperative for the government to conduct an investigation and take action against those responsible.
In relation to the land belonging to the Waqf Board, it is essential to consider the statement made by Cabinet Minister Anirudh Singh during the monsoon session of the Assembly regarding the unauthorized construction of the Sanjauli mosque. He asserted that the land is owned by the state government and expressed concern about the increasing influx of outsiders into the state. He mentioned the challenges posed by the arrival of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, as well as the rise in criminal activities such as thefts and incidents related to “love jihad,” which are deemed perilous for the state and the country. Furthermore, he highlighted the illegal construction of the mosque.
Panwar then goes on to question Shimla’s famous Ram Mandir and other temples for not following the rules. It demonstrates the Communists’ hatred towards Hindu Dharm.
Panwar Sahib, these temples are the roots of the existence of Devbhoomi, if there are no temples in Devbhoomi Himachal, will there be illegal mosques? At least there will never be statues of Marx, Lenin and Stalin! Panwar should tell what problem the people of Shimla have with the temples he is talking about. Have these temples or the people living in them ever created such problems, as mentioned by Minister Anirudh Singh.
Panwar further writes, “The controversy over the Sanjauli mosque is just one of the many recent incidents rooted in anti-minority sentiment, and part of the totalitarian design.” The proponents of the class struggle eagerly seize any opportunity to use the term ‘anti’. They have great sympathy towards anti-minority sentiments, but they remain indifferent to the concerns of the Hindu community in Devbhoomi. They show no concern for the state’s internal security. They are unapologetic about the hardships and losses faced by local businessmen in Himachal. They turn a blind eye to the issue of love jihad in Himachal. They are unconcerned about the proliferation of Islamic Jihad in Devbhoomi Himachal. In India, the communists are advocates of Islamic Jihad. Therefore, when incidents of Islamic Jihad occur in India, the communist factions swiftly resort to a deceitful strategy of concealment or diversion. This is precisely what Panwar is attempting to do in this article.
After this, Panwar, while talking about Delhi and describing the condition of Muslims, writes, “Rising Islamophobia, encounters with legal prohibitions, and a deepening sense of insecurity have led many Muslims to seek refuge in ghettos. This self-segregation further alienates them from urban development processes, exactly what the Hindutva forces desire”.
Could someone inquire from Panwar about the places in the world where Muslims live happily? Are the situations in Libya, Syria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bengal in line with the goals of ‘Hindutva forces’? Do ‘Hindutva forces’ hold power in Bengal? Are slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ raised by ‘Hindutva forces’ in India? Was the Mission 2047 document of PFI also created by ‘Hindutva forces’? Does Panwar believe it is acceptable for Muslims to engage in meat throwing and vandalizing Hindu temples in various parts of the country?
Further Panwar writes very viciously, “A few days ago, the Muslim community in Shimla offered to raze unauthorized portions of the Sanjauli mosque. Will such a proposal ever be made by the committees of temples, some of which are built on government land?”
Isn’t it surprising that after 14 years of fighting over the mosque, the Waqf Board suddenly got involved, and the Muslim side now demands the demolition of the illegal part of the mosque? Minister Anirudh Singh claims that the entire mosque is built illegally, and local residents also agree that the construction is unlawful. Given the widespread protest and exposed conspiracy in Himachal, including Sanjauli, this offer may not be genuine and could be part of a conspiracy. Why did the Muslims allow this construction to take place? Similar situations are occurring in Mandi, Bilaspur, and other areas – what about them?
Panwar now talks of offering to demolish Hindu temples. Suffice it to say that Devbhoomi Himachal is Devbhoomi because of the temples. Temples are not a den of illegal activities and Himachali people do not have any problem with them. The government uses the money of the temples of Himachal. It is possible that the money for the government facilities that Panwar got when he was the deputy mayor also came from a temple in Himachal!
Can Panwar disclose from which mosque in Himachal the government collects funds? Can Panwar specify the amount of tax paid by unregistered hawkers from other states to the Himachal government? Minister Anirudh Singh has stated that there might be Rohingyas in the state due to improper registration processes.
The Hindu community in Himachal is currently facing problems and has attempted to voice its concerns. Panwar has begun associating this with ‘Islamophobia’, but it is not Islamophobia. Instead, it signifies the initial stages of resistance against the Jihadi mindset, which is afflicted by ‘Kafirphobia’ and aims to realize the Islamic Jihad and Ghazwa-e-Hind nightmare.
The Communists of India have been supportive of the Islamic powers from the very beginning. The false history of India has been written by these Communists in which the Islamic invaders have been glorified. At least in Himachal Pradesh, the conspiracies of the Islamic Communist alliance are not going to work.
If Panwar Saheb is deeply concerned about the suffering of Muslims residing in ghettos, then he should disclose how many migrant Muslims he has accommodated in his own home. Alternatively, has he, during his powerful position in Shimla, been involved in the unauthorized resettlement of people from outside in Himachal Pradesh? The tenure of Mr Panwar should be investigated by the Himachal government.
Someone should ask Panwar about the reasons behind the protests in Himachal? Is it solely driven by Islamophobia, or do the local residents have valid concerns? Should a former deputy mayor label people’s reaction regarding internal security as ‘Islamophobia’? it suggests that Panwar himself is suffering from ‘Kafirphobia’!
Does Panwar believe that the demand of the people of Himachal to register the migrants through the proper process is Islamophobia? Do the sentiments of the local people have no value for Panwar who is writing words like ‘anti-minority sentiment’? Does the people of majority society not have feelings? Or has the agitating society of Himachal become bourgeois for Panwar? Will Panwar deny that the internal security threat in Himachal has increased due to these migrants? Does Panwar know about the Prachi murder case that took place in Una district in 2022? Is Panwar denying that these migrants are hiding their identity and living in Himachal? Does Panwar have more information than Minister Anirudh Singh?
Many more questions can be asked to Panwar. In fact, the issue of Sanjauli Masjid in Shimla has become the catalyst of public reaction against the conspiracy going on in Himachal.
This should not be limited only to the construction of illegal mosque in Sanjauli, but it is a conspiracy to change the demography of the entire Devbhoomi Himachal. It is related to business jihad, criminal activities of hawkers, and people living with fake identity cards or without identity and registration. This should be seen from the ‘internal security’ angle of Himachal and as a ‘conspiracy’ against the Dev tradition of Devbhumi Himachal.