Shimla, Sept. 11 -- The controversy over the alleged illegal mosque in Shimla's Sanjauli refuses to subside, as Hindu organisations on Thursday staged a symbolic protest outside the disputed site and performed a ritual "half pind-daan" to mark the first anniversary of last year's agitation that was met with police lathi-charge.

The protest was organised under the banner of Dev Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, which declared the day as "Sanatan Shaurya-Smriti evam Pratikar Diwas" (Day of Sanatan Valour, Remembrance, and Resistance).

Speaking to reporters, Vijay Sharma, co-convener of the Samiti, said the district administration was "still nervous after last year's movement," and had permitted only 11 people to hold the dharna this time under the...