SHIMLA: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Anirudh Singh, today addressed the controversy surrounding the Sanjauli Mosque  dispute, clarifying its historical context.

He stated that the land on which the mosque stands originally belonged to the Rana of Koti state but was transferred to the government post-Partition. 

Anirudh Singh incidentally belongs to the erstwhile family of Rana Koti. 

“The current Masjid, a one-and-a-half-storey structure, was built before 2009 under Islam-e-Ilahi, which has occupied the land. 

Since then, between 2009 and 2024, both BJP and Congress governments have ruled, and the Shimla Municipal Corporation was also led by the CPIM at one point,” Singh said.

He accused certain organizations, along with the BJP, of inflating the issue for political gain.

"This is simply a case of illegal construction, but it’s being blown out of proportion by vested political interests led by the BJP, who are turning it into a religious and political issue to disturb peace and harmony in Shimla and Himachal Pradesh," Singh asserted.

He further mentioned that donations were made during the BJP's tenure to help build the mosque, making the current controversy unnecessary.

"There have been numerous appearances in the Municipal Court regarding this issue, but it remains unresolved," he added.