Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Ujjain Shahi Masjid Dispute Ends With High Court Agreement
Ujjain officials want to widen a road before the large Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2028.
Part of the Shahi Masjid stood in the planned path of the road.
Muslim community members gathered at the mosque and asked that it be protected.
Police were deployed, and a protest later involved alleged stone-throwing and tear gas.
The mosque committee and the city corporation then told the High Court that they had reached an agreement.
The agreement reportedly reduces the part to be removed from about 9.5 feet to around 3 feet.
The minaret portion would be moved inside the mosque complex, and replacement shops would be provided elsewhere.
The court disposed of the appeals and said the civic body’s assurances and the agreement would be binding.
The civic body says other religious structures are also affected by the wider road project.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of two appeals after the Muslim side cited an agreement with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.
The reported agreement reduces the mosque portion to be removed from about 9.5 feet to roughly 3 feet.
The minaret portion is to be relocated within the mosque complex, while replacement shops are expected elsewhere.
Police used tear gas after alleged stone-pelting during protests; arrests, 15 detentions and a case against seven people were reported.
The wider road project is expected to affect 272 structures and has received about Rs 9.8 crore in state funding.
- Who
- The Shahi Masjid management committee and Muslim community members, the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, Madhya Pradesh authorities, police and the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
- What
- The High Court disposed of two appeals concerning removal of part of the Shahi Masjid after the Muslim side and the civic body reported an agreement.
- When
- The agreement and court decision were reported on Monday, September 28, after protests and gatherings over the preceding days.
- Where
- The Shahi Masjid in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, near the Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Kshipra river.
- Why
- The civic body is widening roads under the Ujjain Development Plan, 2035, citing traffic management and public safety needs ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028.
Mosque Supporters and Muslim Community
Civic Authorities and State
Extent of removal
Mosque Supporters and Muslim Community
The Muslim-side lawyer said the agreement limits removal to about 3 feet, rather than the approximately 9.5 feet initially sought by the administration.
Civic Authorities and State
The civic body said the portions obstructing the proposed road would be removed and that less than 10 per cent of the mosque would be affected.
Protection of religious structures
Mosque Supporters and Muslim Community
Community members and Imam Mohammad Ibrahim argued that religious sites should be excluded from road widening and questioned why the building opposite the mosque could not instead be removed.
Civic Authorities and State
The High Court said the mosque was not being targeted arbitrarily, noting that portions of other temples and a mosque had also been affected by the road project.
Purpose of the road project
Mosque Supporters and Muslim Community
Asaduddin Owaisi and supporters linked the dispute to broader concerns about government action involving Muslim religious properties and the Waqf Amendment law.
Civic Authorities and State
The corporation and state said the work was required under the Ujjain Development Plan, 2035, to manage traffic and public safety during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028.
- Court outcome
- The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of two writ appeals and directed the parties to follow the agreement.
- Reported mosque impact
- The Muslim-side lawyer said the agreement reduced the affected portion from approximately 9.5 feet to around 3 feet.
- Minaret and shops
- The minaret portion is to be relocated within the mosque building, and replacement shops are to be provided elsewhere.
- Civic body position
- The Ujjain Municipal Corporation’s lawyer avoided calling the arrangement a settlement and said the appellants had agreed to remove the obstructing portion themselves.
- Earlier court ruling
- On September 9, the High Court upheld the corporation’s procedure and rejected claims that the Shahi Masjid was being singled out.
- Protest response
- Police reportedly used tear gas after alleged stone-pelting; some people were arrested, 15 were detained and a case was registered against seven people.
- Project scale
- The wider road-widening project is expected to affect 272 structures, including religious sites, and has received about Rs 9.8 crore.
