Tension gripped Ujjain on Monday as police faced a large gathering at the site of the Shahi Masjid, where a portion of the complex has been marked for removal under a road-widening project ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Mela. The situation turned confrontational after stones were reportedly thrown at security personnel, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. Rapid Action Force personnel were also deployed as authorities sought to contain the situation.
Ujjain masjid dispute has escalated amid road-widening drive.The confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of a larger infrastructure exercise in Ujjain. Authorities have identified 272 structures for demolition or removal as part of plans to expand roads and improve traffic movement ahead of the Simhastha Mela, a major religious gathering held every 12 years. With a large number of pilgrims expected to visit the city in 2028, civic authorities have argued that expanding roads and upgrading public infrastructure are necessary to handle the anticipated pressure.
The Shahi Masjid has emerged as one of the most contentious points in the road-widening plan. Community representatives have described the mosque complex as a centuries-old Waqf property, with some accounts placing its origins around 1390. The proposed action reportedly involves portions of the prayer hall, a minaret and other structures associated with the complex.
Videos from the spot showed a sizeable gathering and security personnel facing an increasingly tense situation. Police resorted to tear gas after stones were allegedly thrown at them. RAF personnel were also present as the administration attempted to prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
The dispute has also entered the legal and political arena. The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench had earlier dismissed petitions challenging notices issued by the Ujjain Municipal Corporation. The civic authorities' position has been linked to public interest and the need to improve traffic infrastructure ahead of Simhastha. A further hearing concerning the matter was scheduled at the Indore High Court on Monday.
The proposed demolition has drawn criticism from Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who has urged the state government and local administration to take community sentiments into consideration. He questioned the decision to remove portions of what he described as a centuries-old heritage site when the legal proceedings were still underway.
Pratapgarhi argued that alternative land should be considered for the road expansion rather than affecting the mosque complex. He also said that repeated administrative action around the site, while the matter remained before the court, could send an undesirable message.
The administration, however, has framed the road-widening exercise within the larger requirements of Ujjain's preparations for Simhastha 2028. Ujjain Municipal Corporation Chairperson Kalawati Yadav said the city was preparing for one of the world's largest spiritual gatherings and that substantial infrastructure work was already in progress.
According to Yadav, preparations include approximately 29 kilometres of new ghats along the Shipra, diversion-related works, dams and other infrastructure projects. Given the scale of the expected pilgrimage, she said road expansion had become essential for managing traffic and facilitating the movement of visitors.
The immediate confrontation therefore reflects a larger challenge facing the city: balancing the infrastructure requirements of a major forthcoming religious gathering with competing claims involving heritage, religious property and local sentiment. With the matter also involving judicial proceedings, the handling of the disputed structures is likely to remain closely watched as Ujjain accelerates preparations for Simhastha 2028.
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