HIMACHAL Pradesh has always been known for its social standards in education, healthcare, and employment, and has symbolised brotherhood, peace, and communal harmony. The people of this region have consistently upheld constitutional and democratic values. The Indian Constitution envisions secularism, granting equal rights to all religions and ensuring no discrimination against any citizen. However, recent incidents of planned communal violence have tarnished the state's image. In recent days, organised communal unrest has significantly damaged Himachal Pradesh's reputation both nationally and internationally. The tourism industry, one of the state's largest economic resources, is under severe threat due to communal tensions sponsored by certain organisations. Typically, tourist arrivals in September are around 40-50 per cent, but this year it has dropped to just 10-20 per cent, directly linked to the current situation. The tourism sector was already impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year's monsoon disaster further caused substantial losses. This has also led to a fragmentation in the unity of the people of the state. As a result, the state's peace and order are being disrupted, and an atmosphere of chaos is emerging in Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh has never been known for communal violence, polarisation, hatred, or religious fanaticism. Peace, unity, and brotherhood have always prevailed among all communities here. Although there have been occasional attempts to disrupt this harmony, divisive forces have never succeeded. Even political leaders have tried to divide the state on regional lines, but the unity of the people thwarted their efforts. When attempts to divide the state along religious and regional lines failed, new efforts were made to spread division by creating caste-based front organisations, using issues like the demand for a "Swarn Commission," aimed at polarising society. However, the people of Himachal responded to these attempts with even greater unity.

The repeated failures of these divisive schemes have only led to greater frustration among these forces, pushing them to once again disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the state.

In recent months, communal tensions have again surfaced in the state. The Muslim population here is only 2.18 per cent, which previously limited the potential for unrest. Of the state's 12 districts, six have a Muslim population of less than 1 per cent, and in Shimla, the Muslim population according to the 2011 census was just 1.45 per cent. Despite these small numbers, the situation has been tense, largely due to external efforts to inflame communal sentiment.

COMMUNAL TENSIONS

Tensions in Shimla began when a local dispute between two neighbouring shopkeepers was deliberately framed as a communal issue. On August 31, a confrontation occurred in the village of Malayana near Sanjoli, Shimla district, between a resident and some workers over wages, which later escalated into a communal controversy. On September 11, members of Hindu organisations organised a march from Malayana to Sanjoli, demanding the dissolution of the State Wakf Board, the identification of all illegal migrants and the demolition of "illegal" mosques and structures, including a mosque in Sanjoli. The cycle of hatred did not stop there. Members of the Muslim community, involved in small businesses like fruit and vegetable selling in Shimla, were targeted. The opposition to the mosque's construction extended to small businesses in the area, including fruit vendors, barbers, and tailors, who were pressured to abandon their livelihoods and leave. Attempts to drive them out had been ongoing since the COVID era, but they had failed at the time. Their shops were vandalised, and to keep the issue alive, signs were hung at nearby shops reading "Sanatani Sabziwala" (Hindu vegetable vendor).

The atmosphere of fear and tension spread beyond Shimla, affecting the entire state.

On September 10, 13, and 28, protests erupted in the Jail Road area of Mandi district against the alleged illegal construction of a mosque. On September 16, in Solan, a radical rally was organised by the local business federation and Hindu right-wing organisations, where protests were raised against "outside Muslims." Similar protests occurred in Kullu and Palampur as well. In Kullu, Hindu organisations voiced objections to the Jama Masjid in Akhada Bazar, labelling its construction as illegal. In Palampur, Muslim-owned shops were vandalised.

In Kullu, the controversy was centred around land ownership issues and unauthorised alterations to the mosque’s structure. These organisations maintained that the mosque was still registered under the Khadi Board, but they continued to assert its illegality.

EFFORTS FOR PEACE AND COMMUNAL HARMONY

While divisive forces were active, on the other hand, organisations and citizens who believed in unity came together to stand against hatred, communal polarisation, and religious fanaticism. A front called ‘Shimla for Peace and Harmony’ was formed in Shimla, and a rally was organised with the message of communal harmony, which was warmly welcomed by peace-loving citizens from the city and all parts of the state. On September 27, numerous democratic and progressive organisations, along with intellectuals in Shimla, organised a ‘Communal Harmony Peace March,’ where hundreds of citizens sent a clear message to maintain peace and communal harmony.

Building on this momentum, on November 17, the ‘Himachal for Peace and Harmony’ front was formed in Shimla, and a convention was held. The convention made it clear that any attempt to sow communal discord or hatred in the state would not be tolerated. The seminar was addressed by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and former MP, Subhashini Ali, Dr Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, convenor of Himachal for Peace and Harmony Forum, Maulana Mohammad Shafi Kasmi, former MLA and CPI(M) leader Rakesh Singha, and labour leader Vijender Mehra.

Subhashini Ali, addressing the convention, emphasized that the biggest challenge today is saving the Constitution, which is under attack by the RSS and BJP. She pointed out that the rights of women, dalits, tribals, and minorities are currently facing severe assaults. Unemployment and inflation are at their peak, and to divert attention from these critical issues, the BJP and its allied organisations are focusing on religious, caste, and regional issues to create division.

Subhashini Ali criticised the current political discourse for distracting people from real issues like employment, education, and welfare, stating that the ruling party is more focused on spreading fear and hatred against minority communities than addressing the needs of the youth, providing better education, or alleviating the suffering of the poor. She condemned statements like "they will take your homes, they will take your daughters," calling them attempts to instill fear and hate, which only promote division and are against democratic values.

On the claims of increasing infiltration, Ali highlighted the contradiction, saying that if infiltration is indeed happening, it is the central government's responsibility to stop it, as borders are under the control of the Border Security Force (BSF). These claims, she said, are meant to divide people and spread hatred for electoral gains, which harms democracy, the country, and especially the future of the poor.

Focusing on economic policies, Ali accused the ruling party of prioritising corporate interests over public welfare. She cited examples from Mumbai, where public resources and land, including prime land in Dharavi, are being handed over to corporate houses, questioning how this benefits the common people. She also criticised the practice of destabilising elected governments to promote corporate agendas, calling it exploitation rather than development.

Subhashini Ali appealed to citizens to hold the ruling party accountable for its divisive politics, economic exploitation, and neglect of national issues. She concluded by stating that such politics are not only illegal but also are a threat to the fabric of the nation.

COMMITMENT TO SECULARISM COMMUNAL HARMONY

Dr Kuldip Singh Tanwar, convenor of Himachal for Peace and Harmony Forum,  while addressing the gathering, said that this forum will be expanded across Himachal, with efforts to engage intellectuals as well as individuals from social, secular, and democratic backgrounds. The aim is to bring the forum to the grassroots level. He pointed out that certain divisive forces are spreading misinformation to mislead the public. In response, this campaign will focus on providing accurate information to ensure these forces are defeated.

At the convention, participants expressed their commitment to defending communal harmony, secularism, and the Constitution. They appealed to the citizens of Shimla and Himachal Pradesh to strengthen peace, brotherhood, and communal harmony. They pledged to promote national unity and integrity, rise above caste, religion, gender, and race, and uphold democratic and secular values and called for confronting the communal forces challenging the Constitution.

The convention made it clear that maintaining peace, unity, and communal harmony in Himachal Pradesh is the top priority. To ensure the protection of the Constitution and social harmony, all citizens must unite. A statewide campaign was launched to thwart all machinations of the communal forces. This initiative will work towards strengthening peace, brotherhood, and democratic values across the state.