By Our Staff Reporter
Uttarkashi, 4 Nov: The dispute that began over the allegedly illegally constructed mosque in Uttarkashi shows no signs of resolution so far. Although Hindu organisations postponed their proposed Mahapanchayat scheduled for today, a symbolic dharna was held by the members of the Sanyukta Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Sangh. The protesters held a one-day symbolic dharna at Hanuman Chowk. The United Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Sangh has demanded immediate release of three youths arrested on charges of disturbing the peace. Additionally, the protestors also demanded action against the police officers who had ordered the lathi-charge and assault on those who were involved in the 24 October rally demanding demolition of the mosque.
It may be recalled that the dispute over the mosque which had been going on in Uttarkashi for the past few months had escalated into a riot on 24 October. The Sanyukta Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Dal had organised a Janakrosh rally against the mosque. Protesters attempted to approach the road leading to the mosque, but police prevented them by erecting barricades. This led to a confrontation between the protesters and the police.
A deadlock persisted for two and a half hours during the standoff. At one point, a bottle was thrown at the police, prompting the police to lathi-charge and disperse the crowd. It is also claimed that a number of the people from the other community started pelting stones at the protesters from atop the buildings in the area. The Police however denies this claim. In total, 27 individuals, including both protesters and police personnel, sustained injuries during the lathi-charge. Following the incident, the police had enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS to restore peace in the area. A case was registered against 208 individuals, including eight named suspects. From this group, three people were arrested and sent to jail.
Various Hindu organisations have expressed anguish over the allegedly one-sided action of the Police and they claim that it did not take action against the stone pelters but resorted to lathi-charge against the protestors. The members of the Sanyukta Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Sangh today not only held a symbolic dharna at Hanuman Chowk here but also condemned the stone pelting and lathi-charge that occurred during the rally on 24 October. They also expressed anguish over the continued custody of three protestors and they demanded their release, and also pressed for removal of all serious charges against them on a conditional basis. They warned that, if the protesters were not released from jail soon, various Hindu organisations would be compelled to intensify their protest.
