Ujjain Shahi Masjid Row: 15 Arrested and Seven Booked
Stone pelting and clashes reported during road widening work as police deploy tear gas and heavy security
Ujjain: Tension escalated in Ujjain on Monday during the removal of a portion of the historic Shahi Masjid as part of a road widening project ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh 2028. Police said 15 people were taken into custody and cases were registered against seven others following incidents of stone pelting and clashes.
The incident took place around the Chhatri Chowk area after groups allegedly blocked roads and threw stones at police personnel and barricades. Police used tear gas and mild force to disperse the crowd. CCTV footage and drone recordings are being examined to identify those involved.
Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said some people attempted to disturb the situation by blocking roads and pelting stones. He said the situation was brought under control and action was being taken against those identified.
The unrest occurred hours after an overnight understanding between the mosque committee, Muslim representatives and the administration regarding the removal of the portion of the mosque falling within the proposed road alignment. According to police and local administration officials, members of the mosque committee and the Muslim community had agreed to remove the affected portion themselves.
The road widening project covers a stretch of around 900 metres between Kanthal Chowraha and Gopal Mandir, which is being widened to 15 metres to facilitate the movement of devotees during Simhastha 2028. Several houses, shops and religious structures falling within the proposed alignment are also being removed or shifted.
Police have also registered cases against some social media content creators over allegedly provocative or inflammatory posts. Around 2,500 police and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed in Ujjain and other sensitive areas as authorities continue to monitor the situation.
A video circulating on social media appears to show a Muslim man being chased and beaten by a group during the unrest. The circumstances surrounding the video and the identities of those involved would require independent verification.
Separately, a group of women reportedly blocked a road at Makodiya Aam Naka used by devotees travelling towards the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Police later cleared the road.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore bench on Monday disposed of two appeals after representatives of the mosque informed the court that an agreement had been reached with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation. The court also recorded assurances given by the civic body regarding the road widening work.
Earlier, on September 9, a single judge had dismissed petitions challenging the proposed removal of the affected portion of the mosque. The court had considered the road widening requirements linked to Simhastha 2028 and traffic management needs.
Ujjain Collector Roshan Singh and Shahar Qazi Khali Kurre Rehman appealed for peace and urged people not to believe rumours. Authorities have said the situation remains under control while police continue to investigate the violence.
AAP leader Amanatullah Khan criticised the action, alleging that Muslims were being targeted. His remarks came amid the wider political debate over the removal of the mosque portion.