A section of the Shahi Masjid is being removed for a Simhastha 2028 road project. Officials say the mosque committee is carrying out the work, while representatives have raised concerns about the building’s stability.
Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd near Ujjain’s Shahi Masjid on Monday after stones were thrown during a protest over the partial removal of the mosque for a road-widening project.
The administration says approximately 11 feet of the structure near Chhatri Chowk lies in the planned road alignment. Officials said community representatives reached an understanding overnight and that the mosque committee began removing the affected portion itself. The agreement did not prevent fresh crowds from gathering on Monday morning.
What is known so far
- Police said some personnel sustained minor injuries and the area was cordoned off.
- The road project covers about 900 metres between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir, with a proposed width of 15 metres.
- The work is part of preparations for the Simhastha gathering scheduled for 2028.
- A further legal challenge was listed for hearing on Monday; its outcome was not confirmed at publication.
How the confrontation unfolded
A crowd gathered near the mosque on Sunday and remained through the night. After discussions with community representatives, an understanding was reportedly reached in the early hours of Monday. Later that morning, another gathering formed and some people threw stones at police, according to Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma. Officers used tear gas and force to clear the area, he said.
Sharma said the situation was under control and that removal work continued within a security perimeter. Police planned to review CCTV and drone footage to identify those involved in violence.
Women also protested at Naka No. 5 and blocked a road. Crime Branch inspector Pushpa Panchal suffered a cut to her hand during police efforts to move the group, according to police, and received first aid.
Why part of the mosque is being removed
Ujjain is widening the route between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir as it prepares for the expected increase in pilgrims during Simhastha 2028. The plan affects parts of several properties along the alignment. The reported works have also affected the Khade Hanuman temple and a section of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s ancestral home.
District Magistrate Raushan Kumar said local residents and religious groups were participating in the preparations and maintained that members of the community were carrying out work at the mosque. Mosque representatives have expressed willingness to cooperate with the project, while raising a specific concern: Imam Mohammad Ibrahim has said that removing even a section could compromise the remainder of the building.
Legal challenge and appeal for calm
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed two petitions challenging the proposed action on September 9. A further challenge was listed for Monday. The outcome of that hearing was not confirmed at the time of publication.
Seher Qazi Khaleelur Rahman appealed to residents to stay away from the site and disregard rumours, saying the mosque issue had been resolved in the overnight discussions. Attention now turns to the pending court challenge, safeguards for the remaining structure and the police investigation into the stone-throwing.
