The march, organized against the backdrop of communal tensions sparked by controversies surrounding the illegal mosque in Sanjauli, Mandi, Nagrota, Sirmaur, and other religious frictions, saw participants from all walks of life joining hands for a united cause.
Shimla Peace march came ahead of the Devbhoomi Sangharsh samiti's scheduled protest march on September 28 in the city.
Starting from Lower Bazaar and making its way to the DC Officer and Ridge, the march attracted a wide range of citizens, including some senior retired IAS officers, university professors, scholars from the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, and representatives from various religious and social groups and clubs.
The participants urged Shimla's residents to reclaim the city's essence as a beacon of peace and communal harmony.
"Shimla has always been a symbol of unity," said former Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan, who was among Shimla leaders addressing the march.
"We are here to appeal to all citizens to resist any attempts to divide our city along religious or parochial lines. Shimla has always been a city where people of all backgrounds live together in harmony. Let us not allow divisive forces to change that."
CPI(M) leader Rakesh Singha echoed this sentiment, urging citizens to stand strong against the spread of hatred.
"We cannot let these incidents define us. Shimla is known for its brotherhood, not for communal discord. We appeal to everyone to maintain the peaceful fabric of this city," he said, responding to the media.
The march also saw participation from retired officials like Deepak Sanan, former IAS officer, who emphasized the need for communal harmony, particularly in a historic city like Shimla.
"Shimla’s legacy is one of inclusion. It is heartbreaking to see tensions rise in a place known for its peace," Sanan said. **"We must all make efforts to restore that."
**"We’ve seen more than 170 years of this city thriving on mutual respect and understanding,"** Chauhan remarked, pointing to the rich history of Shimla as a municipal hub.
He added that despite political differences, the Congress and CPM stood united on the issue of restoring peace in the city.
The march came after recent controversies over the illegal construction of a mosque in Sanjauli protested by the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, which many felt were threatening to disrupt the fabric of Shimla's society.
Former MLA Rakesh Singha added that such divisive actions were intended to sow discord among communities but would ultimately fail. The vendors and others should do their business as usual and without fear, he said.
Citizens from all sections of society – from professors and religious leaders to retired government officials – participated in the march, making it clear that Shimla’s true identity lies in its unity.
As the march progressed, more residents joined in, chanting slogans for peace and harmony, calling for an end to fear-mongering.
Responding to the media Representatives from Muslim community said they there was no Muslim-Hindu in Shimla.
But the elements from outside who are coming here must be verified and their background must be probed so that their efforts to disrupt peace must be thwarted, they asserted, referring to the suspicious migrants from outside.
Responding to the media, retired IAS officer Sanan stated, "This march is a testament to the resilience of Shimla’s people. We refuse to be divided. Let this be a message to all forces that we will not let hatred take root here."
As the march concluded at the historic Ridge, the leaders vowed to continue their efforts to maintain the peace and character of Shimla.
