Bhopal: At least 15 people, including five content creators, were detained in Ujjain on Monday after clashes broke out between a group protesting the removal of a portion of the Shahi Mosque and security personnel. Police also registered seven FIRs in connection with the incidents.
The action came ahead of the removal of a three-foot portion of the mosque near the Mahakaleshwar Temple as part of a road-widening project being undertaken in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028.
According to officials, the situation escalated after members of the Muslim community began removing the portion themselves following an agreement reached with the administration on Sunday night. While representatives of the community were carrying out the agreed work, another group, comprising mainly youths, gathered and attempted to move towards the mosque.
Police had barricaded the area and used mild force, including a baton charge and tear gas, to disperse the protesters. Some security personnel were injured after stones were allegedly thrown at them.
Ujjain Inspector General of Police Rakesh Gupta said tensions were fuelled by rumours that the administration had brought bulldozers to demolish the mosque. He said several meetings had been held with Muslim representatives in the preceding days and that an agreement had been reached for the community itself to remove the required portion.
Police also reported an incident outside the residence of city qazi Khaliq-ur-Rahman, where a group allegedly protested and threw stones. Seven cases were registered for various incidents, including the disturbance at the qazi’s residence and alleged spreading of misinformation and incitement.
Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said the situation was brought under control before 9 a.m., after which the removal work resumed. Police are examining social media posts, CCTV recordings and drone footage to identify other people allegedly involved in the violence.
Ujjain Collector Roshan Kumar Singh said only a small portion of the mosque at Chhatri Chowk was required to be removed for widening a 900-metre road stretch. City qazi Khali Kurre Rehman also appealed to residents to ignore rumours and avoid visiting the site unnecessarily, saying the issue had been resolved through an agreement with the administration.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had on September 9 dismissed two petitions challenging the proposed demolition. Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, in the order, referred to the need to accommodate large numbers of devotees during the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh and improve traffic management and public facilities around the Mahakaleshwar Temple and Kshipra River.
The court had observed that the authorities’ action was undertaken after following the necessary legal provisions and in consideration of broader public safety and public interest.
Ujjain is currently witnessing infrastructure development ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh, held every 12 years. Authorities are preparing facilities and road networks to manage the movement of an estimated 45 crore pilgrims during the major religious gathering.
Police said the situation in the city was peaceful after the clashes, although security remained deployed in sensitive areas.
