Tension breaks out in Ujjain as police and protesters clash over mosque demolition

Clashes broke out between a large group of people and police in Ujjain on Monday during opposition to the partial demolition of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project ahead of the Simhastha 2028 fair. Security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd after stones were thrown at police personnel stationed at the site.

## The Dispute

The municipal corporation started removing a portion of the mosque that falls along the route being widened between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir. Authorities have deployed around 2,000 police personnel, placed barricades, and restricted movement within a 500-metre radius. The 900-metre road is being expanded to 15 metres, and while most other affected structures have already been cleared, the mosque remains a major point of resistance. An overnight standoff saw hundreds of residents and community members gather at the complex to stop the removal, and protesters attempted to move through alleys with women pushed forward to lead the demonstration.

## Reactions

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi strongly objected to the action, calling the partial demolition of the 600-year-old heritage site a sign of deep hatred and urging the administration to respect public feelings. He noted that the matter is pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which was scheduled to hear the case on Monday, and suggested that land for the road-widening be acquired from the opposite side instead.

## Context

Road-widening projects in major pilgrimage cities often require clearing encroaching structures to handle massive crowds during large religious gatherings like the Simhastha fair. However, disputes frequently arise when historical or religious sites are affected, leading to legal battles and heightened local tensions between residents and civic authorities.