Tensions escalated in Ujjain on Monday as protesters clashed with police during demonstrations against the partial demolition of the Shahi Masjid. The structure is being removed as part of a city-wide road-widening project in preparation for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Authorities have identified 272 structures for demolition to facilitate infrastructure upgrades for the major religious gathering.
Sporadic stone-pelting and protests broke out near the Shahi Masjid Complex, prompting police to deploy tear gas and use mild force to disperse the crowds. Rapid Action Force personnel have been stationed at the site to maintain order. Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma stated that while the mosque committee had initiated the demolition with consent, certain individuals attempted to incite disturbances. "The police personnel present at the scene responded by using tear gas and mild force to disperse the crowd," Sharma said, adding that the area is being monitored via drones and CCTV to identify perpetrators for future legal action.
Despite the unrest, officials maintained that the project has broad support. SP Sharma noted that women who attempted to block the road eventually withdrew after being counseled by officers. Meanwhile, City Qazi Khaliqur Rahman issued an appeal for calm, urging the Muslim community to remain indoors and avoid gathering in market areas, stating that the dispute regarding the mosque had been resolved overnight.
Political reactions have been divided. Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi criticized the demolition, labeling the removal of a 600-year-old site as insensitive and questioning the administration's actions while the matter remains pending in court. He urged the government to consider alternative land acquisition strategies to preserve the heritage site.
In contrast, the state government has emphasized the necessity of the infrastructure overhaul. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who recently participated in the demolition of his own ancestral home to support the project, described the sacrifice as essential for the city's development. Ujjain Municipal Corporation chairperson Kalawati Yadav confirmed that the road-widening efforts are critical to accommodating the millions of pilgrims expected for the 2028 event, which will feature extensive new ghats, dams, and diversion projects.
