New Delhi: Several towns across Himachal Pradesh witnessed a bandh (strike) called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and various business groups on Friday, in response to protests against the alleged unauthorized construction of mosques and recent police actions against demonstrators.
The bandh, which lasted until 11 am, saw protestors marching through towns such as Bilaspur, Kullu, Chamba, Hamirpur, and Paonta Sahib. In Shimla, the bandh had minimal impact, as the Beopar Mandal had already observed a similar closure on Thursday. In other towns, demonstrators marched through the streets chanting the Hanuman Chalisa and expressing their opposition to what they described as the “illegal expansion” of mosques in the state.
The main complaints from the protesters focused on the construction of a portion of a mosque in Shimla and alleged encroachment on government land by a mosque in Mandi. Tensions escalated earlier in the week when police used lathicharge in Shimla and water cannons in Mandi against the demonstrators. These confrontations resulted in injuries to ten people, including four police officers.
Protesters have also expressed concerns about the presence of “outsiders” in Himachal Pradesh and are demanding thorough verification of individuals from outside the state. The unrest has led to several shops remaining closed in support of the bandh, including in Manali and Dalhousie.
The VHP has been vocal about the issue, with Keshav Verma, the state president, stating that there have been several incidents of Muslims taking the law into their own hands in Chamba. The VHP is advocating for the verification of outsiders and opposing what it views as illegal mosque constructions. Pankaj Bhartiya, the state VHP assistant secretary, emphasized the group’s commitment to fighting for the rights of Hindus and local residents, and accused individuals from other states of harming their cause.
In response to the escalating situation, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed for peace and harmony. He urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to avoid making provocative statements and emphasized the state’s tradition of respect for all religions. “Himachal Pradesh has always been a land of peace and brotherhood. Tourists are welcome, and we must maintain that spirit,” Sukhu said.
Amid the rising tensions, the police have filed FIRs against 50 individuals involved in the protests, and the situation remains under close watch.
(With PTI inputs)
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