1 hr ago
Ujjain Mosque Demolition Dispute Intensifies Before Court Hearing
Officials in Ujjain want to remove part of an old mosque to make a nearby road wider.
They say the wider road is needed to manage large crowds during Simhastha 2028.
Members of the Muslim community disagree and have gathered inside the mosque to protect it.
They say religious buildings should not be removed and that another building could be affected instead.
Police are present but say they are trying to solve the disagreement through talks.
A High Court previously agreed that the road project had followed the required legal process.
The mosque committee has asked a larger court bench to consider the matter.
The community may approach the Supreme Court if it does not receive relief.
Muslim community members gathered at Ujjain’s Shahi Masjid and some planned to remain overnight to oppose proposed demolition.
The Ujjain Municipal Corporation plans to widen the road to 15 metres ahead of Simhastha 2028.
Police have deployed several companies and are seeking cooperation while saying demolition is temporarily on hold.
A September 9 Madhya Pradesh High Court order upheld the corporation’s procedure and rejected claims of discriminatory action.
The mosque committee has approached a larger bench, with a hearing scheduled for Monday and a possible Supreme Court appeal if relief is denied.
- Who
- The Ujjain Municipal Corporation, local police, the Shahi Masjid committee, Muslim community members, Imam Mohammad Ibrahim and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are involved.
- What
- Authorities propose removing the portion of Shahi Masjid within a planned road alignment, while community members are protesting and seeking legal relief.
- Where
- At Shahi Masjid in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, near the Mahakaleshwar Temple and Kshipra river.
- When
- Community members gathered on Sunday; the larger-bench hearing is scheduled for Monday, following a September 9 High Court order.
- Why
- The corporation says road widening is needed for traffic management and public safety during Simhastha 2028; mosque supporters say religious structures should be preserved.
Mosque Supporters
Administration and Court
Whether the mosque should be removed
Mosque Supporters
Community members and Imam Mohammad Ibrahim say religious sites should be excluded from road widening and that the mosque should not be surrendered.
Administration and Court
The administration seeks removal of the portion within the road alignment as part of a road-widening project.
Fairness of the road project
Mosque Supporters
Supporters question why the building opposite the mosque cannot instead be removed and allege that the mosque should be spared.
Administration and Court
The High Court said the mosque was not being singled out, noting that portions of 10 temples and one mosque had already been removed along the same road.
Purpose of the project
Mosque Supporters
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi argues that the action reflects broader concerns about government control over Muslim religious properties under the Waqf Amendment law.
Administration and Court
The corporation and court cite the Ujjain Development Plan 2035, traffic management, public safety and the expected crowds during Simhastha 2028.
Key facts
- Road-widening plan
- The Ujjain Municipal Corporation plans to widen the road to 15 metres.
- Mosque status
- Shahi Masjid is registered as a Waqf property.
- Proposed removal
- The part of the mosque within the proposed road alignment could be removed, including an affected portion of the prayer hall and a 120-foot minaret.
- Police response
- Several companies of local police have been deployed, but officials say demolition is currently on hold.
- Earlier court order
- On September 9, the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed two petitions challenging the proposed removal.
- Court reasoning
- The court said the corporation followed statutory procedures and had taken action affecting other religious structures.
- Next hearing
- The mosque committee’s petition before a larger bench is expected to be heard on Monday.
Quotes
Mohammad Ibrahim
Imam of the Shahi Masjid
“This is a religious city. None of the religious sites should be demolished. Widening should take place excluding religious sites”
indianexpress.com
“We want to save the mosque. We do not want to give it up at any cost.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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