16 hrs ago
Ujjain Road Widening Halts After Mosque Demolition Protest
Ujjain officials are widening a road before the Simhastha event in 2028.
Parts of two mosques were located in the area planned for the road.
Workers began removing some of those portions.
Members of the Muslim community objected to the work.
They said the mosques are very old and asked officials to leave a small part of them untouched.
Police were present to keep the situation from becoming worse.
Officials and community representatives then discussed the issue.
More demolition has been paused until a decision is reached.
Municipal workers began removing portions of Madina Masjid and Jamiatul Quraish Qassaban Masjid near Ujjain’s KD Gate.
The action was part of the Nikas Chauraha-Bada Pull road-widening project for Simhastha preparations.
Muslim community members protested and asked officials to spare about 2 to 3 feet of the mosque structures.
Police were deployed after arguments and heated exchanges occurred at the site.
Following discussions with the administration, further action was temporarily put on hold pending a meeting decision.
- Who
- Ujjain Municipal Corporation officials, police, mosque committee members, Muslim community representatives, and Shaher Qazi Khaliqur Rahman.
- What
- Portions of Madina Masjid and Jamiatul Quraish Qassaban Masjid were removed or targeted for removal during a road-widening operation; further action was put on hold.
- Where
- The KD Gate area in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, near the Nikas Chauraha-Bada Pull road.
- When
- The operation began on Tuesday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Why
- The structures fall within the area earmarked for road widening linked to preparations for Simhastha 2028.
Administration’s Position
Muslim Community’s Position
Need for removal
Administration’s Position
Officials said the religious site falls within the area designated for road widening and described the removal as being carried out through mutual coordination.
Muslim Community’s Position
Community members said they had already cooperated by giving up portions of shops and asked that about 2 to 3 feet of the mosque structures be spared.
Handling the operation
Administration’s Position
The Municipal Corporation and police deployed personnel to conduct the work and prevent the situation from escalating.
Muslim Community’s Position
Community members protested when the JCB began demolition, leading to arguments and heated exchanges with police.
Next steps
Administration’s Position
The administration will take further action according to the decision reached in a meeting with community representatives.
Muslim Community’s Position
Shaher Qazi Khaliqur Rahman said the matter would be discussed with the administration, after which further action was temporarily paused.
Key facts
- Project
- Nikas Chauraha-Bada Pull road widening
- Location
- KD Gate area, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Religious sites
- Madina Masjid and Jamiatul Quraish Qassaban Masjid
- Community request
- Spare approximately 2 to 3 feet of the mosque structures
- Reported mosque age
- A mosque committee member said the mosque is around 100 to 150 years old
- Current status
- Further action has temporarily been put on hold
- Long-term context
- Road-widening work is expected to continue for Simhastha 2028 preparations
Sources
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