Ujjain Shahi Masjid Clash: Tear Gas, Lathi Charge as Protesters and Police Face Off Over Mosque Removal
Ujjain Shahi Masjid Clash: Tensions escalated in Ujjain on Monday after a large group of people and police personnel clashed near the Shahi Masjid, where a portion of the mosque has been proposed for removal as part of a road-widening project. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd after stones were reportedly thrown at security personnel, according to videos and reports from the scene. Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were also deployed in the area.
The dispute has developed around a proposed road-widening exercise being carried out as part of preparations for Simhastha Mela 2028, a major religious gathering expected to bring millions of pilgrims to Ujjain. Authorities have said that infrastructure improvements, including road expansion, are necessary to handle the expected increase in visitors.
What Happened in Ujjain?
According to reports, a confrontation broke out on Monday near the Shahi Masjid as authorities moved forward with preparations connected to the proposed removal of part of the structure.
Videos from the location showed a tense confrontation between police and people gathered at the site. NDTV reported that stones were thrown at security personnel and that police used tear gas shells to control the situation. A significant security presence, including RAF personnel, was reported at the location.
Reports from the area have also described the use of force by police during the confrontation. However, details about injuries and the precise sequence of events remain subject to further official clarification.
The incident has drawn attention because the dispute is taking place against the backdrop of an ongoing legal and administrative disagreement over the proposed road-widening work.
Why Is the Shahi Masjid Facing Partial Removal?
The Shahi Masjid is located along an area where authorities are planning infrastructure changes ahead of Simhastha 2028.
According to NDTV, 272 structures have been marked for demolition as part of the wider road and infrastructure overhaul in Ujjain. The proposed action involving the Shahi Masjid concerns only portions of the complex, including parts of the prayer hall, a minaret and related structures, rather than a stated plan to remove the entire mosque.
Community members have described the mosque as a centuries-old Waqf property, with some accounts dating it to around 1390. The historical status of the structure has become an important part of the public debate surrounding the proposed action.
Read More: Bihar Teacher’s Unique Teaching Method Earns Her State Teacher Award
Road Widening Linked to Simhastha 2028 Preparations
Ujjain is preparing for Simhastha Mela 2028, which is held every 12 years. The event is expected to attract a very large number of pilgrims, placing additional demands on the city’s roads, traffic management and public infrastructure.
Ujjain Municipal Corporation chairperson Kalawati Yadav has said that extensive infrastructure preparations are underway, including new ghats, diversion projects and other works. She said road widening is considered necessary because of the expected influx of devotees during the religious gathering.
The administration’s stated infrastructure objective has therefore become one of the central issues in the dispute.
Protesters Gathered Overnight
The confrontation followed days of heightened tension around the mosque.
The Indian Express reported that members of the local Muslim community had gathered at the Shahi Masjid ahead of the proposed demolition activity and a scheduled court hearing. Some people reportedly planned to remain at the site overnight while opposing the removal of parts of the religious structure.
Another report said police, RAF and STF personnel had been deployed in the area, with a large security presence maintained around the site.
Read More: Eiffel Tower Shuts After Women Staff “Sidelined” For Hindu Group’s Visit
The gathering reflects the competing concerns surrounding the project: the administration’s stated need for infrastructure expansion and objections from community members who oppose the removal of portions of the mosque.
Court Proceedings Add to the Situation
The dispute is also connected to proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Indore.
NDTV reported that the High Court had earlier dismissed petitions challenging notices issued by the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, citing public-interest and traffic considerations related to preparations for Simhastha. A further hearing connected with the matter was scheduled for Monday.
The legal proceedings are significant because the proposed removal of the mosque’s portions has become a matter of both administrative action and judicial scrutiny.
The Indian Express also reported that the administration had, at that stage, held back from carrying out the demolition while community members remained gathered at the site.
Political Reactions to the Ujjain Mosque Dispute
The controversy has also prompted political reactions.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi objected to the proposed demolition and called on the state administration to consider public and heritage sentiments. He also questioned the timing of administrative action while the matter was before the court. His statements represent a political position on the dispute and should be distinguished from the administration’s stated infrastructure rationale.
The dispute has consequently moved beyond a local infrastructure question and become a subject of wider political and public discussion.
Heavy Security Deployment in the Area
Following the confrontation, security forces remained deployed around the affected area.
The presence of RAF personnel highlights the authorities’ efforts to prevent further escalation. Police used tear gas during the confrontation after stones were reportedly thrown at security personnel, according to NDTV’s report and videos from the location.
Reports have described the atmosphere as tense, with authorities attempting to maintain control around the mosque and surrounding area.
Officials are likely to face the challenge of balancing the planned infrastructure work with maintaining public order and addressing concerns raised by local residents and community representatives.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is expected to remain on the legal proceedings and the administration’s next steps concerning the road-widening project.
Read More: Gurugram Hit-And-Run Accused Kalyan Bainsla Detained, ‘Attempt To Murder’ Invoked
Several questions remain relevant: whether the proposed removal will proceed, whether the court will issue further directions, and whether an alternative alignment or other solution can address the infrastructure requirements without affecting the disputed portions of the mosque.
At present, the situation remains fluid. The clash has added another layer of tension to an issue that was already being contested through administrative and legal channels.
The developments in Ujjain also underline the wider challenge faced by cities preparing for major religious gatherings: expanding infrastructure and improving traffic management while dealing with existing residential, commercial and religious structures.
For now, the Shahi Masjid dispute remains closely watched as the court proceedings and administrative decisions continue.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| Site involved | Shahi Masjid |
| Main dispute | Proposed partial removal of mosque structures |
| Reason cited by authorities | Road widening and infrastructure preparations |
| Major upcoming event | Simhastha Mela 2028 |
| Reported confrontation | Protesters/local crowd and police |
| Police response | Tear gas; reports also mention lathi charge |
| Security deployment | Police and Rapid Action Force personnel |
| Reported cause of escalation | Stones were thrown at security personnel, according to reports |
| Legal status | Court proceedings related to the proposed action were scheduled |
| Wider project | Ujjain infrastructure and road-widening works |
Read More: Huge Row After Report Flags 2 Election Commissioners Objected To Poll Panel Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the Shahi Masjid in Ujjain facing demolition?
The proposed action concerns parts of the Shahi Masjid, not necessarily the entire mosque. The affected portions fall within the proposed road-widening alignment linked to Ujjain’s infrastructure preparations for Simhastha 2028.
2. What happened during the Ujjain protest?
A confrontation occurred between police and a large group of people near the mosque. Reports and videos showed stones being thrown at security personnel, following which police used tear gas to control the situation. RAF personnel were also present.
3. Why is Ujjain widening roads?
The road-widening work is part of preparations for Simhastha Mela 2028. Authorities say the city needs additional infrastructure and improved traffic arrangements to manage the expected influx of pilgrims.
4. Is the entire Shahi Masjid being demolished?
Current reports describe a partial removal involving portions of the mosque complex, including parts of the prayer hall, a minaret and related structures.
5. Is the matter before the court?
Yes. The dispute has involved proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Indore. NDTV reported that a further hearing related to the matter was scheduled for September 28, 2026.
6. What is the connection with Simhastha 2028?
Simhastha is held in Ujjain every 12 years. The 2028 gathering is expected to attract millions of pilgrims, and authorities are undertaking extensive infrastructure and road-related projects ahead of the event.
Read More: High Court Asks Meta To Remove Woman’s Morphed Images, CJP Leaders Get Notices
7. What is the current situation in the area?
Reports published on September 28, 2026, described heightened tension and heavy security deployment around the mosque following the confrontation. Further developments are expected as the legal and administrative process continues.
Conclusion
The Ujjain Shahi Masjid dispute has intensified after a confrontation between police and people gathered near the mosque, with tear gas used by police after stones were reportedly thrown at security personnel. The controversy is rooted in a proposed road-widening project connected to preparations for Simhastha 2028, while community members have raised objections over the proposed removal of portions of the historic religious structure.
With court proceedings also involved, the next steps will depend on both judicial developments and decisions by the local administration. The situation remains dynamic, and further official information will be important in establishing the final course of action.
