Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Ujjain Shahi Masjid Damaged During Minaret Removal Work
Workers in Ujjain were removing part of the Shahi Masjid to make a road wider.
The project is connected to preparations for a large religious gathering in 2028.
During the work, a tall minaret fell and damaged part of the mosque.
Reports differed on whether the damage affected the outer area, dome, or first floor.
Officials said the fall was accidental and that nobody was hurt.
One Muslim religious leader said a crane strap broke during the removal.
A mosque committee member questioned why officials acted quickly while community members were already removing parts themselves.
Earlier protests about the work led to clashes, stone-pelting, tear gas, and tighter police restrictions.
The collector asked people not to spread false or hateful rumours and appealed for calm.
A portion of Ujjain’s Shahi Masjid was damaged on October 1, 2026, while a minaret was being removed for road widening.
Reports differed on the exact damage, describing impact to the mosque’s outer area, dome, and first floor.
Officials said the incident was accidental and reported no deaths, injuries, or trapped workers.
The road-widening project is being carried out ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in March 2028.
Security was tightened after September 28 protests over removal of a 160-square-foot mosque section, including a minaret and prayer room.
- Who
- Ujjain district authorities, municipal workers, the Shahi Masjid committee, Muslim community members, police, and protesters.
- What
- A minaret collapsed during removal work, damaging part of the Shahi Masjid; officials said the damage was accidental.
- When
- The damage occurred on October 1, 2026; protests and clashes took place on September 28, 2026.
- Where
- Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The affected section was being removed as part of a road-widening project ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in March 2028.
Authorities’ Position
Community Concerns
Reason for removal
Authorities’ Position
Authorities said the affected section was being removed because it stood in the way of road widening for preparations for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Community Concerns
A Shahi Masjid committee member and Muslim religious leader questioned why the administration intervened while community members were removing portions themselves.
Cause of damage
Authorities’ Position
The administration described the damage as accidental and said there was no intention to harm the mosque. Reports attributed the collapse to faulty machinery.
Community Concerns
A Muslim religious leader said a strap on the crane being used to remove the minaret broke, while the collapse caused distress among people watching the work.
Public order and restrictions
Authorities’ Position
The collector appealed against false, communal, or hate-mongering rumours, while police imposed security and movement restrictions to allow the work to continue.
Community Concerns
Protesters opposed the mosque’s partial removal; clashes reportedly involved stone-pelting, followed by police use of batons and tear gas. Community figures later appealed for calm.
- Location
- Shahi Masjid, Chhatri Chowk, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Damaged structure
- A minaret and part of the mosque; reports variously described damage to the outer area, dome, and first floor
- Minaret
- Reportedly about 120 feet tall; one report said scaffolding surrounded one of four minarets
- Project
- City-wide road widening ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in March 2028
- Casualties
- No deaths, injuries, or trapped workers were reported
- Earlier protest
- Crowds protested removal of a reported 160-square-foot section, including a minaret and prayer room, on September 28
- Security measures
- The area was barricaded, movement was restricted, and police prohibited photography and videography within 500 metres while work continued
