Ujjain Mosque Demolition Row: Protesters Clash With Police as Road-Widening Work Begins

Ujjain: Tension escalated in Ujjain on Monday morning after residents and members of the Muslim community protesting the proposed removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid clashed with police near the mosque. Security personnel used tear gas shells after stones were allegedly thrown at police during the confrontation.

The clash took place as the Ujjain Municipal Corporation began the process of removing the section of the mosque that falls within the proposed alignment of a road being widened ahead of the Simhastha Mela 2028.

A large crowd had gathered outside the mosque, where residents had been opposing the proposed demolition. Police had made extensive security arrangements in the area following an overnight standoff, with a large contingent of personnel deployed around the site.

Overnight protest leads to tense morning

The latest confrontation followed hours of resistance at the mosque.

On Sunday night, hundreds of residents and members of the Muslim community reportedly gathered at the site after municipal officials and police arrived with heavy machinery to begin the removal process.

The protesters remained at the mosque through the night, saying they would not allow the affected portion of the religious structure to be removed.

Authorities subsequently held discussions with community representatives in an effort to resolve the situation. Reports suggested that there had been an understanding under which members of the community would themselves remove the portion affected by the road project.

However, the arrangement did not hold. When the administration resumed the removal process on Monday morning, opposition intensified and protesters and police came face-to-face.

Police use tear gas after alleged stone-pelting

As the situation became tense, police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Security personnel were reportedly targeted with stones during the confrontation.

Authorities had placed barricades around the mosque and restricted movement within an approximately 500-metre radius of the site.

Around 2,000 security personnel were reportedly deployed in the area, while senior police and administrative officials remained at the spot to monitor the situation and prevent the unrest from spreading.

Road widening linked to Simhastha preparations

The dispute is connected to a road-widening project between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir.

The approximately 900-metre stretch is being widened to around 15 metres as part of preparations for Simhastha 2028. The religious gathering, held once every 12 years, is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims to Ujjain.

Authorities have said that expanding roads and improving infrastructure is necessary to manage traffic and the movement of devotees during the event.

Several religious structures reportedly fall within the planned road alignment. According to reports, most of the affected structures have already been removed, while the Shahi Masjid has become the main point of resistance.

Community seeks an alternative alignment

Members of the Muslim community and the mosque committee have opposed the proposed removal, arguing that an alternative solution should be considered.

They have suggested widening the road from the opposite side or adopting another alignment that would avoid removing a portion of the mosque.

The mosque committee has also challenged the proposed action legally, maintaining that the structure is registered as a Waqf property and should be protected as a religious site.

The dispute has therefore continued both on the ground and in court.

High Court had earlier dismissed petitions

The legal challenge has already been considered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore Bench.

On September 9, the court dismissed two petitions challenging the Ujjain Municipal Corporation’s decision. According to the report, the court held that the authorities had followed the statutory procedure and did not find a violation of Articles 14, 25, 26 or 300A of the Constitution in the proposed action.

The court also considered the importance of the road for traffic management during the upcoming Simhastha and noted the mosque’s location in an area close to the Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Kshipra river.

The mosque committee subsequently approached a Division Bench, with the matter listed for hearing on Monday.

Authorities maintain that infrastructure work is necessary

The administration’s position is that the road expansion is part of wider preparations for Simhastha 2028.

With Ujjain expected to receive a very large number of visitors during the religious gathering, authorities have been undertaking road, traffic and infrastructure projects across the city.

The proposed widening of the Kanthal Chauraha-Gopal Mandir road is being presented as part of those preparations.

Protests continue amid legal proceedings

The confrontation outside the Shahi Masjid has brought the disagreement between the administration and protesting residents into sharp focus.

While authorities are proceeding with the infrastructure project based on their assessment of traffic and public requirements, members of the Muslim community continue to oppose the removal of the mosque portion and have sought an alternative route for the road expansion.

With the matter also being considered by the court, the situation remains closely watched.

For now, security forces continue to maintain a presence around the mosque as officials work to implement the road-widening project and manage tensions at the site.

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.