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Ujjain Mosque Demolition Sparks Clashes Amid Road-Widening Dispute
Ujjain officials want to make a road wider before a large religious gathering in 2028.
Part of the Shahi Masjid stands in the planned road area.
The mosque committee went to court to stop the removal.
It said the mosque was being treated unfairly and that important religious parts could be affected.
The High Court ruled that the city had followed the required process and could continue.
On Monday, people protested near the mosque.
Some protesters threw stones, and police used tear gas and lathicharges to disperse them.
Police detained 15 people and booked seven others.
Officials said the mosque committee agreed to the partial removal, but the settlement details were not made public.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court cleared the way for removing part of Ujjain’s Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project.
The mosque committee challenged municipal notices, arguing the action was discriminatory and violated religious and property rights.
The court said proper procedures were followed and that the mosque had not been singled out, noting removals involving other religious structures.
Protests near Chhatri Chowk on Monday involved stone-pelting, while police used tear gas and lathicharges and detained 15 people.
Police said the mosque committee consented to removing the section, while the committee’s appeal was described as disposed of after a settlement whose details were not disclosed.
- Who
- The Shahi Masjid committee, Ujjain Municipal Corporation, Madhya Pradesh High Court, police, and local protesters.
- What
- A legal dispute and street unrest followed plans to remove part of the Shahi Masjid for road widening.
- Where
- The Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- Municipal notices were issued from 14 August onward; the High Court ruled on 9 September, and clashes and demolition activity occurred on Monday.
- Why
- Officials said the road widening was needed for traffic management and preparations for Simhastha 2028.
Mosque Committee and Supporters
Municipal Administration and Court
Fairness of the removal
Mosque Committee and Supporters
The mosque side argued that the structure was being treated differently because it was a mosque and said alternative structures on the opposite side could be removed.
Municipal Administration and Court
The municipal corporation said other religious structures had also been removed, including portions of temples and another mosque, and the High Court found no evidence that the mosque had been singled out.
Religious and property rights
Mosque Committee and Supporters
The petitioners argued that removing the prayer hall, minaret and other portions could violate constitutional protections for religious practice, religious management and property.
Municipal Administration and Court
The High Court held that the right to practise religion does not create an absolute right to worship at a particular location and did not bar the road-widening project in this case.
Consent and protest
Mosque Committee and Supporters
Community members protested the demolition and sought to prevent removal of the mosque section.
Municipal Administration and Court
Police and officials said the committee voluntarily agreed to the removal and described the stone-pelting protesters as troublemakers who were dispersed to maintain order.
Key facts
- Project
- Removal of part of the Shahi Masjid as part of a road-widening plan.
- Municipal notices
- Notices were issued on 14, 25 and 27 August, followed by a final notice on 1 September.
- High Court ruling
- On 9 September, the court rejected challenges to the municipal action; a later division-bench appeal was disposed of or dismissed, according to differing reports.
- Protest response
- Police used tear gas and lathicharges after protesters allegedly threw stones.
- Detentions and cases
- Fifteen people were detained and seven people were booked, according to reports citing police.
- Road-widening purpose
- The project is linked to preparations for Simhastha 2028 and expected traffic from the gathering.
- Settlement
- Police said the mosque committee consented to the removal, but the settlement details were not disclosed in court.
Quotes
Pradeep Sharma
Ujjain Superintendent of Police
“Various communities and organisations have been consistently cooperating with the road-widening project. Today, the mosque committee itself is voluntarily demolishing the section of the Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk that falls within the widening zone.”
theprint.in
“Extensive development work is underway for ‘Simhastha 2028’, and a truly exemplary level of cooperation is being witnessed from all quarters; be it individuals, religious groups or the community at large”
theprint.in
Sources
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