Police Used Tear Gas As protesters Threw Stones And Opposed Planned Removal Of the Mosque For Road Widening In Ujjain

Tension escalated in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain on Monday as authorities began the process of removing a portion of the Shahi Masjid that falls within the alignment of a road-widening project being undertaken ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh in 2028.

The situation worsened when members of the Muslim community and other local residents gathered near the mosque to oppose the proposed demolition. The confrontation later turned tense, with reports of stone-pelting and police using tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd.

A huge number of police protection was required at the moment. More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed in the area, while barricades were placed within an approximately 500-metre radius of the mosque to restrict movement and prevent the situation from escalating.

Protest Erupts As Mosque Removal Begins

The dispute centres on a section of the Shahi Masjid that falls within the proposed alignment of the road being widened by the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.

According to reports, residents and members of the Muslim community had gathered outside the mosque overnight on Sunday after municipal officials arrived with heavy machinery. Some protesters also remained inside the religious structure, opposing any removal.

On Monday morning, when the authorities moved ahead with the removal process, protesters and police came face-to-face. Police alleged that some protesters threw stones at security personnel, following which tear gas was used to disperse the gathering.

The administration had earlier attempted to resolve the dispute through discussions with mosque committee representatives. Reports also indicated that there had been an effort to reach an understanding under which members of the community would voluntarily remove the affected portion, but the arrangement did not hold when the operation resumed.

Community Seeks Alternative Route

Members of the mosque committee and sections of the local Muslim community have opposed the removal, arguing that the road should instead be widened through an alternative alignment or by removing structures on the opposite side.

They have also argued that the mosque, which is registered as a Waqf property, is a religious structure that should be protected.

The mosque committee has challenged the proposed removal in court. The dispute has continued despite an earlier order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court concerning the municipal corporation’s decision.

What The High Court Had Said

On September 9, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed two petitions challenging the proposed removal of the mosque portion.

The court held that the municipal corporation had followed the required statutory process and rejected the argument that the mosque was being selectively targeted because it was a religious structure.

The court noted that the road-widening exercise had also affected other religious structures. According to the judgment, portions of 10 temples and one mosque had already been removed along the same road, while action had been taken involving around 80 religious places across Ujjain as part of wider road-development plans.

The court also considered the administration’s argument that the widening was necessary to improve traffic management during major religious events, including Simhastha 2028.

The mosque committee has since approached a larger bench, with the matter scheduled for hearing on Monday. Community representatives have indicated that they could consider approaching the Supreme Court if they do not receive relief.

Road Project Linked To Simhastha 2028

The road-widening work is part of preparations for Simhastha, which is expected to bring a large number of pilgrims to Ujjain.

The project involves widening a stretch of road to around 15 metres to improve traffic movement and infrastructure in the city. India Today reported that the project has been sanctioned at approximately Rs 9.8 crore and that 272 structures are expected to be affected by the widening of a 730-metre stretch.

The administration has maintained that the development work is intended to improve traffic management and prepare the city for the anticipated increase in visitors during Simhastha.

Mohan Yadav Also Gives Up Part Of Ancestral Home

The mosque dispute comes a day after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav personally removed part of his ancestral home in Ujjain to facilitate the same infrastructure project.

Yadav used a pickaxe to begin removing the section of the house that falls within the proposed road alignment. His ancestral property is among the structures affected by the widening plan.

The Chief Minister said public representatives should lead by example when development projects require changes to private properties.

The road-widening exercise has therefore become a major point of contention in Ujjain, with the administration citing infrastructure and traffic requirements ahead of Simhastha, while residents and mosque representatives continue to oppose the removal of the Shahi Masjid portion through protests and legal proceedings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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