2 hrs ago
Ujjain Mosque Dispute Spurs Clashes, Calls For Dialogue
A mosque in Ujjain may lose part of its structure so a road can be widened.
The road work is connected to preparations for the Simhastha festival in 2028.
Some local people protested because they wanted to protect the mosque.
Police and protesters clashed after reports of stone-pelting.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd.
Congress leader Arif Masood asked everyone to stay calm.
He said the mosque committee and officials were still talking.
He also said the court was considering the matter.
People disagreed about how much of the mosque-related structure should be removed.
Congress MLA Arif Masood urged restraint and dialogue amid tension over proposed mosque demolition in Ujjain.
The dispute concerns road widening linked to preparations for Simhastha 2028.
Police used tear gas and baton charges after reported stone-pelting, while Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed.
Masood said talks were ongoing and the matter was also before the High Court.
Reports differed over the proposed reduction: the committee discussed giving either 6.5 feet or 3.5 feet, while some volunteers reportedly began removing part of the structure.
- Who
- Congress MLA Arif Masood, the Ujjain mosque committee, local residents, police and protesters are involved.
- What
- A dispute is continuing over removing part of Shahi Masjid for road widening, with clashes reported between police and protesters.
- Where
- Shahi Masjid in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- Tension and clashes were reported on Monday, September 28, 2026; protests had continued for nearly two days.
- Why
- The road widening is proposed as part of preparations for Simhastha 2028.
Dialogue and Mosque Protection
Road Widening and Enforcement
How the dispute should be resolved
Dialogue and Mosque Protection
Arif Masood, the Qazi, the representative committee and local residents called for restraint, continued talks and avoidance of forced removal while legal proceedings continued.
Road Widening and Enforcement
The administration and police were managing a road-widening project, and police used force to disperse a crowd after reported stone-pelting.
How much should be removed
Dialogue and Mosque Protection
The mosque committee was discussing whether to give 3.5 feet of an upper section or another portion, and Masood said the extent had not been finalized.
Road Widening and Enforcement
The road-widening plan was described as requiring 6.5 feet, while reports also said volunteers began removing about 3 feet to avert bulldozer action.
Responsibility for violence
Dialogue and Mosque Protection
Masood said it should first be established who carried out the stone-pelting and warned against drawing conclusions while talks continued.
Road Widening and Enforcement
Police responded to reported stone-pelting with tear gas and a baton charge, though the article does not establish who was responsible.
Key facts
- Main issue
- Proposed removal of part of Shahi Masjid for road widening
- Location
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Related event
- Simhastha 2028 preparations
- Police response
- Tear gas, baton charge and deployment of Rapid Action Force personnel
- Legal status
- The matter was also before the High Court, according to Arif Masood
- Proposed measurements
- Discussions referred to 6.5 feet for widening and 3.5 feet of an upper shop section
- Protest duration
- The mosque committee and residents had reportedly maintained a peaceful protest for nearly two days
Quotes
Arif Masood
Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh commenting on the Ujjain mosque dispute
“An agreement was reached on six-and-a-half feet for road widening. The committee had said that it was ready to give three-and-a-half feet of the upper portion of the shops. When discussions are still underway and nothing has been finalised, why should there be a lathi charge?”
freepressjournal.in
“We will see who threw the stones, what happened and whether there was any conspiracy. That is an issue to be looked into later.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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