Clashes Erupt in Ujjain Over Mosque Demolition Amid Road Expansion
Tensions rise in Ujjain as protests against mosque demolition escalate, leading to police intervention and injuries.
Protests erupted over the removal of part of Shahi Masjid for road widening in Ujjain.
Police used tear gas to disperse crowds after stone-pelting incidents.
The dispute has escalated to the Madhya Pradesh High Court amid community concerns.
Protests in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh turned violent on Monday as demonstrators clashed with police over the demolition of a section of the Shahi Masjid. The mosque, located near Chhatri Chowk, is being partially removed to facilitate a road-widening project ahead of the Simhastha 2028 religious gathering. Officials reported that some police officers sustained minor injuries during the unrest, which saw stones thrown at law enforcement.
The controversy stems from the planned expansion of a 900-meter stretch of road between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir, which is set to be widened from its current size to 15 meters. The mosque committee had initiated the demolition after discussions with community representatives, but tensions flared as a large crowd gathered, leading to stone-throwing incidents against police forces.
Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma confirmed that the situation was under control following the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd. He stated that the mosque committee was cooperating with the project, but concerns were raised about the potential impact on the mosque's structural integrity. Imam Mohammad Ibrahim emphasized that even minor alterations could jeopardize the entire building.
The local administration is preparing for the upcoming Simhastha festival, expected to attract thousands of pilgrims. District Magistrate Raushan Kumar noted that community members were actively involved in the preparations. However, the situation remains tense, with women protesters blocking roads and police personnel sustaining injuries during the confrontations.
As the dispute escalates, it has reached the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which dismissed two petitions against the demolition on September 9. A further challenge is scheduled for hearing soon. Authorities are utilizing CCTV and drone surveillance to monitor the area and identify individuals involved in the violence, with plans to file FIRs against those responsible for the unrest.
