Tension escalated sharply in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday morning after heavy clashes broke out between local residents and police forces near the historic Shahi Masjid.
Security personnel deployed tear gas shells to disperse a crowd that engaged in stone-pelting to block the administration’s road-widening project.
The Root of the Conflict
The dispute centres on the proposed removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid complex along the Kanthal Chauraha to Gopal Mandir stretch. The Ujjain Municipal Corporation plans to widen the 900-metre bottleneck to 15 metres to handle traffic and pilgrim movement ahead of the Simhastha 2028 mega-fair.
While civic authorities state that almost all obstructing structures along the stretch—including around 80 religious constructions citywide—have already been removed or shifted, local residents and the mosque committee have strongly resisted the partial demolition of the Waqf-registered heritage site.
Ground Situation & Police Action
Protesters gathered near the site overnight on Sunday to stage a sit-in against the demolition drive. By Monday morning, tensions boiled over as protesters pushed through narrow alleys toward the barricaded perimeter. Security personnel faced stone-pelting, prompting the firing of tear gas to push back the crowd.
A security deployment of roughly 2,000 police personnel has locked down the area, establishing a 500-metre security radius around the mosque to prevent further escalation.
Political & Legal Status
- Political Reaction: Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi criticized the administration’s approach, urging authorities to acquire alternative land rather than demolishing a historic structure.
- High Court Ruling: On September 9, 2026, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed petitions challenging the demolition notices. The court held that the 15-metre road expansion served larger public safety and traffic needs for Simhastha 2028, noting that statutory procedures were followed without discrimination.
- Pending Appeals: Despite earlier dismissals, the mosque committee moved a Division Bench, with further hearings anticipated as the situation on the ground remains volatile.
