Ujjain mosque volunteers remove part of structure amid demolition fears

Ujjain: Volunteers at the historic Shahi Masjid in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain began removing a section of the mosque on Monday after tensions rose over a proposed demolition linked to a road-widening project.

The volunteers were dismantling around three feet of a projecting slab above the shops adjoining the mosque. Residents said the portion was not used for prayers and that the mosque’s Numainda Committee had agreed to remove it following discussions with the local administration.

The development came after Muslims held a vigil at the mosque for three nights, with hundreds of people gathering inside and outside the premises to oppose the proposed demolition.

According to local residents, community representatives and officials reached an understanding on Sunday night that the three-foot section would be removed by the mosque committee itself. The residents said the agreement did not include handing over an eight-foot portion of the mosque that officials had allegedly sought.

However, after people left the area following Fajr prayers on Monday morning, officials reportedly returned with barricades, bulldozers and heavy police deployment. Residents claimed that the marked portion was to be demolished immediately, prompting people to return to the mosque.

A clash reportedly broke out between police and people gathered outside the premises, following which tear gas was used to disperse the crowd.

Residents alleged that the arrival of heavy machinery despite the agreement had caused suspicion among members of the community.

“The administration deceived us, and that is why we were forced to remove the portion ourselves,” a resident told Maktoob.

The dispute also involves one of the mosque’s minarets. Residents said they had been assured that a new minaret would first be constructed behind the existing one before the old structure was removed. They alleged that the administration had not accepted the proposal.

Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said the Muslim community and the mosque committee were removing the affected portion voluntarily and with their consent, keeping the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh in mind.

He alleged that a group had attempted to exploit the situation and said police used tear gas and a lathi-charge in response. Sharma added that the area had been secured and was being monitored through CCTV cameras and drones.

According to the police officer, five people from outside the district were detained at the border for allegedly attempting to disturb peace. He also said action was being taken against content creators accused of circulating rumours and inflammatory material online.

The Shahi Masjid has been marked for partial demolition as part of a road-widening project planned ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had permitted the removal of a portion of the century-old mosque.

While volunteers continued dismantling the agreed section on Monday, residents remained inside the mosque, fearing that the administration could carry out a wider demolition operation.

The situation remained tense as people gathered around the mosque and security personnel maintained a presence in the area.