Violence erupts in Ujjain over Shahi mosque demolition ‘rumour’ for Simhastha project
Ujjain, September 28: A massive uproar broke out on Monday in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, protesting against the demolition of a part of Shahi Mosque, which was under the road widening for the Simhastha project. The police were pelted with stones. In response, police personnel resorted to lathi charge and tear gas. The lady station in-charge was injured while trying to disperse the crowd.
Heavy police force was deployed following the dispute, but stone pelting resumed by afternoon. Police resorted to lathi charge and tear gas. The action continued amidst the chaos. However, it was stopped during the prayers. After this, the matter calmed down. Police have detained 15 people, and an FIR has been filed against seven others. These include social media influencers, who are accused of disturbing the atmosphere.
A large number of members of the Muslim community gathered at Tanki Square on Monday morning to protest the demolition of the Shahi Mosque. Some, including women, attempted to enter the mosque premises. Muslim women blocked the road at Naka No. 5, while others pelted stones at the police. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Crime Branch Station in-charge Pushpa Panchal was also injured.
Upon receiving the information, a large police force arrived at the scene. Inspector General Rakesh Gupta, Commissioner Ashish Singh, DIG Navneet Bhasen, Collector Roshan Kumar Singh, and AP Pradeep Sharma are also present. Tension prevails in the area. In view of the situation, police have deployed additional forces throughout the area. Traffic is being controlled by erecting barricades around the mosque and on approach roads. Police officers are present at the scene and monitoring the situation.
During the prayers, the demolition of a portion of the Shahi Mosque in Ujjain was halted. During this time, ADG Rakesh Gupta, DIG Navneet Bhasin, SP Pradeep Sharma, and Collector Roshan Singh ate lunch sitting on the sidewalk. All schools near the stone-pelting area have been declared closed. Meanwhile, the markets around Chhatri Chowk, Sati Gate, Sarafa, Lakherwadi, Dhaba Road, and Gopal Mandir are completely closed. Police are continuously warning people to stay indoors through DJs.
After the prayers, at around 3 p.m., Collector Roshan Kumar Singh and SP Pradeep Sharma went out to monitor the law and order situation. Both officers arrived at sensitive areas with mounted police, where a large number of police personnel are deployed. Ujjain Collector Roshan Kumar said that the cooperation of the public, religious organizations, and communities in the road-widening campaign has been the most positive thing so far. A portion of the Shahi Mosque at Kshatriya Chowk is also being demolished as part of this initiative.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Sharma stated that with the consent and cooperation of the Muslim community and the mosque committee, the portion of the mosque falling within the road widening area is being removed. This step was taken keeping in mind the upcoming Simhastha 2028. Police used tear gas and lathicharge against a group attempting to exploit the situation. The entire area has been cordoned off. CCTV cameras and drones are being monitored.
He stated that 15 people have been detained so far and FIRs have been filed against seven individuals, including social media content creators. Police are continuously monitoring social media and taking action against those spreading rumors or posting inflammatory content. RAF and police contingents have been deployed on the spot. Security has been increased in the area, and the police are constantly monitoring the situation.
The Public Relations Department shared a video of Ujjain City Qazi Khaliqurrehman on the social media platform X. In the video, the City Qazi appealed to ignore rumors. He stated that the mosque issue was resolved through mutual consent last night. There is no situation requiring anyone to go there. The work that has been resolved is being completed. Do not leave your homes unnecessarily due to rumors and visit the site. The
Muslim community is removing the portion of the mosque itself: Waqf Board Chairman
Sanwar Patel, Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, stated that the Shahi Mosque is neither being martyred nor displaced. The Muslim community and the mosque committee are themselves removing the portion of the mosque that is falling under the road widening project in view of Simhastha 2028. Some people are misleading and provoking the community regarding this matter.
Road widening work is underway in Ujjain in preparation for Simhastha 2028. As part of this, the 1.5-kilometer stretch of road from Koyla Phatak to Gopal Mandir is being widened to 15 meters. For this purpose, 323 houses will be demolished, including 15 religious places. So far, 12 religious places have been removed. The road also includes a roughly nine-foot-long and four-foot-wide section of the Shahi Mosque. Documents confirm that the mosque is over 100 years old. However, the Imam claims it is over 600 years old.
