Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – Several towns across Himachal Pradesh witnessed a bandh (strike) on Saturday, called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and various business groups in protest against the alleged unauthorised construction of mosques and recent clashes with police. The protest came in response to what demonstrators referred to as the “illegal expansion” of mosques and police actions taken against them.
The bandh, which lasted until 11 a.m., saw significant participation in towns such as Bilaspur, Kullu, Chamba, Hamirpur, and Paonta Sahib. However, in the state capital, Shimla, the bandh had minimal impact as the Beopar Mandal had already observed a closure the previous day.
Protesters in Hamirpur and Chamba marched through the streets, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa and expressing their opposition to alleged encroachments on government land by mosques, particularly in Mandi and Shimla. The demonstration escalated after police used batons and water cannons against protestors in these areas.
The protestors have raised concerns about the presence of “outsiders” in Himachal Pradesh, demanding verification of individuals from other states. The issue has become a flashpoint after clashes in Shimla’s Sanjauli area on Wednesday, where ten people, including four police officers, were injured. FIRs have been lodged against 50 individuals involved in the protests.
VHP state president Keshav Verma said the group has long advocated for verification of non-residents in the state, accusing them of using false identification to bypass regulations. “The VHP will continue to fight for the rights of Hindus and local people and will not tolerate the construction of unauthorised mosques,” he said.
Amid rising tensions, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called for peace and harmony. “We respect all religions, and Himachal Pradesh has always been a land of peace and brotherhood. Tourists are welcome, and we must maintain that spirit,” the chief minister said, urging the public to refrain from provocative statements.
The bandh is the latest in a series of protests that have gripped the state over the alleged unauthorised construction of religious sites and concerns about non-residents, as communal tensions remain high in several areas.