Tension gripped Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh after protests over the removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid turned violent on Monday, with protesters allegedly throwing stones at police and security forces using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd.
The dispute is linked to a road-widening project being carried out ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh 2028, a major Hindu pilgrimage expected to bring large crowds to Ujjain. A portion of the historic mosque falls within the alignment of the road project.
The confrontation followed an overnight protest at the mosque. Members of the Muslim community had gathered at the site to oppose the proposed removal. Police and municipal teams had brought machinery to the area, but the crowd prevented the work from proceeding initially.
On Monday morning, tensions escalated as the removal operation began. According to police, some protesters threw stones at security personnel. Police responded with tear gas and a baton charge to clear the area. Several policemen were injured during the clashes, according to officials.
Police later arrested 15 people in connection with the violence and registered cases over alleged attempts to disturb public order. Security was strengthened across sensitive parts of the city, with around 2,500 police and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed, according to officials.
The unrest came despite efforts overnight to resolve the dispute through talks between the administration and representatives of the mosque. An agreement was reached under which the affected portion would be removed voluntarily by members of the Muslim community rather than through direct municipal demolition.
That understanding later became part of the legal proceedings. The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore bench disposed of two appeals filed by the Muslim side after petitioners told the court that a settlement had been reached with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.
The court said assurances given by the civic body in its earlier response and interim notice would be binding on the corporation. The appeals had challenged an earlier September 9 order that had cleared the way for removal of the portion identified as an obstruction.
The road project involves widening a roughly 900-metre stretch between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir. Authorities say the work is necessary to improve traffic movement and manage the large number of pilgrims expected during Simhastha 2028.
Several structures along the route have already been removed, shifted or altered as part of the project. Officials have described the Shahi Masjid action as part of the same wider road-development exercise rather than a standalone demolition drive.
The mosque committee and local residents had earlier opposed the move, arguing that an alternative road alignment could be considered. The Muslim side also raised concerns about the mosque’s status as a Waqf property and sought protection for the religious structure.
The dispute has also taken a new turn because of social media misinformation. Police are investigating videos and posts that allegedly fuelled tensions during the protests.
One video circulating online appeared to show a JCB machine demolishing the entire mosque. Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said the video was false. Police are examining the accounts that uploaded the material as well as people who circulated it.
The use of AI-generated videos and manipulated visuals has become a major concern for authorities because such content can spread quickly and create confusion during sensitive situations. Police have warned against sharing unverified material and said action could be taken against those found deliberately spreading inflammatory content.
The situation was also complicated by reports of protesters gathering at locations away from the mosque. Police said some roads were blocked, while additional forces were sent to prevent the unrest from spreading to other parts of Ujjain. Officials urged residents to remain calm and avoid rumours.
By Tuesday, the removal process was continuing under heavy security. Members of the mosque committee said the affected portion would be removed voluntarily following discussions with the administration. They stressed that the Muslim community respects the road-widening project and wants the work to proceed peacefully.
Authorities have continued to monitor the area closely, while shops around the mosque have been cleared under police supervision. Senior administrative and police officials remain involved in managing the situation.
The Ujjain episode has brought together several sensitive issues — road widening, religious structures, court proceedings, public order and social media misinformation. While the civic authorities say the work is connected to preparations for Simhastha Kumbh 2028, the removal of part of the Shahi Masjid has triggered strong opposition and street protests.
With the legal dispute now settled through an agreement between the mosque representatives and the civic body, authorities are focusing on maintaining peace and completing the road project. The immediate priority remains preventing further clashes while ensuring that information circulating online does not trigger fresh tension.
