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No prayers at Sanjauli mosque, protesters end indefinite hunger strike

The atmosphere at the protest site grew tense when right-wing activists under the banner of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti urged Hindus to boycott goods and services sold or provided by members of a certain community.

3 min readUpdated: Nov 23, 2025 10:19 AM IST

Although the main entry gate to the mosque was found bolted from the outside, a few people entered the building through a side passage prompting some activists to lodge their protest before the police personnel standing there. (Express photo by Saurabh Parashar)

The Sanjauli mosque, declared illegal by courts and marked for demolition, wore a deserted look Friday even as various right wing organizations on an indefinite hunger strike, suspended their protest after the local administration agreed for meeting on November 29 to discuss their demands “within the ambit of the law”.

The protesters, led by the Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, who have been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike outside the Sanjauli police station— around 70 metres from the mosque — partially blocked the traffic, but didn’t move towards the mosque, where a heavy police contingent had already been deployed.

Maulana Shahzad Alam, the mosque’s cleric, said, “No one came to offer prayers. Whoever wanted to come was told to pray at another mosque. I can’t say beyond this. This land belongs to the State Waqf Board. I am a salaried employee here”.

Mohammed Irfan, a resident of Dhalli, said, “Due to heavy police presence and the current situation, my friends and I preferred not to go to the Sanjauli mosque for Friday prayers. There are other mosques in Shimla, so we went there. The fixed time for Friday prayer was 1.30 pm. Yesterday, when I contacted office bearers of the mosque committee, they had hinted that we should avoid going.”

Meanwhile, a short video went viral even as district administration officials—including Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Pankaj Sharma—were interacting with the protesters. The video showed certain individuals entering the mosque, prompting protesters to intensify their demand to seal the disputed structure and disconnect its water and electricity supply.

Vikas Thapta, one of the protestors on hunger strike, said, “A local resident shot a video showing people entering the mosque, bypassing the police stationed at the main entrance. When a structure has already been declared illegal, what is the point of performing religious activity there? We have ended our indefinite hunger strike for now, as the administration has assured us that our demands will be discussed on November 29.”

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The atmosphere at the protest site grew tense when right-wing activists under the banner of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti urged Hindus to boycott goods and services sold or provided by members of a certain community.

ADM Pankaj Sharma told The Indian Express, “There was no traffic jam or any untoward situation. We conveyed to the protesters that a joint meeting will be held on November 29 to discuss their demands, within the ambit of the law. Action will be taken as per rules and regulations.”

Shimla SDM Oshin Sharma, ASP Navdeep Singh, Sanjauli SHO Jaswant Singh, and other officials were present at the site.

Meanwhile, protester Madan Thakur, who was on indefinite strike, was taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC) due to low blood pressure. Others Vijay Sharma, Ashok Sharma and Vikas Thapta take the food in the presence of district administrative officials.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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