Ujjain mosque row: 20 arrested, 30 FIRs registered after unrest
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Ujjain: Ujjain Police have arrested 20 people and registered 30 first information reports (FIRs) in connection with Monday’s unrest that broke out following the removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid.
It has been almost a week since thousands of local Muslims began protesting against the demolition of the 600-year-old mosque. The Ujjain Municipal Corporation has maintained that the portion of the mosque was removed as part of a road-widening project being undertaken ahead of the 2028 Simhastha fair.
On Monday, September 28, the protests turned violent after stones were pelted at police and security personnel. The security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Before the bulldozer action, some volunteers from the mosque committee began demolishing a three-foot portion of the mosque’s hanging slab.
“Ya Allah, madad kar. Ya Allah yeh haaton se lagvaya tha khade rahkar, aaj unhi haaton se tudvaya hai” (Oh Allah, have mercy. Oh Allah, You had these very hands build this, today you have made these same hands tear it down), a person could be heard saying in a video, breaking down in tears.
Two weeks ago, the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed petitions challenging municipal notices seeking the removal of part of the mosque. The petitions had been filed by groups administering the Waqf property, Shahi Masjid Waqf Panchayat Mochiyaan.
The Muslim side is now expected to approach the Supreme Court. Locals have alleged that the administration wants the mosque removed before the matter can reach the apex court and a stay can potentially be granted.