Protest against mosque in Uttarkashi takes violent turn, several injured, police say structure is legal

Protesters under the banner of Sanyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh on Thursday took out a protest march demanding the demolition of the mosque.

Uttarkashi SP Amit Srivastava said, “The incident took place at around 2.30 pm. The route of the protest was already decided and barricading was set. However, the protesters demanded to go to a different side (towards the mosque). They demanded that we open the barriers, and when that was not done, they got agitated. There was a scuffle and stone pelting, and we tried to disperse the crowd.”

Earlier this year, an RTI application had been filed seeking information on the legality of the mosque. In response, the administration said they did not possess the necessary documents. Following this, a memorandum was submitted to the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi, demanding the mosque’s demolition.

On September 6, several members of right-wing groups staged a sit-in protest outside the DM’s office, demanding the mosque’s demolition. They issued a three-day ultimatum to the administration, threatening to demolish the mosque themselves if their demand wasn’t met.

The Sanyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh, a coalition of several outfits, on September 9 submitted another memorandum to DM Meherban Singh Bisht, claiming the mosque was not registered in revenue records and demanding that it be demolished.

Subsequently, the DM formed a committee led by SDM Bhatwari to investigate the matter. The committee upheld the mosque’s legality, saying that it does not occupy government land.

“Some right-wing organisations had given a memorandum to the administration claiming that it is an illegal mosque. As per our records, it is built on registered land and it is not illegal. It is registered in the names of four people. The administration has conveyed the same to these organisations,” said SP Srivastava.

The Sanyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh rejected the committee’s findings and continued to insist that the mosque was illegal and should be demolished.

Thursday’s protest came after the umbrella group sought and was granted permission to hold a protest rally. They were permitted to take out the rally from Shri Dev Suman Manch, Hanuman Chowk, pass through the main market, Kali Kamli Dharamshala, before concluding at the Bhatwadi Taxi Stand Ramlila Ground. The rally was subject to several conditions, including compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on the use of DJ sound systems, a ban on weapons, adherence to the set time (11 am to 12 noon), and a restriction on making controversial statements.