Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Ujjain Shahi Masjid Removal Triggers Stone-Pelting During Road Widening
Ujjain is widening roads before a large religious event called Simhastha in 2028.
Part of the Shahi Masjid is located where authorities plan to build the wider road.
Mosque representatives and officials agreed that community members would remove the affected part by hand.
Some people disagreed with the plan and gathered near the mosque.
Stones were thrown at police, according to reports.
Police used tear gas, and some reports also said they used batons to disperse the crowd.
Women protesters blocked a road during the tension.
An inspector cut her hand while police were moving the women, but police said the women were safe.
Mosque representatives asked officials to consider another route because they said the mosque is historically important.
Members of the Muslim community began manually removing a portion of Ujjain’s Shahi Masjid after an agreement with the administration over road widening.
Stone-pelting was reported near the mosque, prompting police to fire tear-gas shells and, according to multiple reports, use a baton charge.
Inspector Pushpa Panchal suffered a hand injury while police moved protesting women; police said no women were injured.
The project aims to widen a roughly 900-metre route toward Gopal Mandir to 15 metres ahead of Simhastha 2028.
The mosque committee and protesters sought protection for the structure and an alternative alignment, while officials said the affected section was being removed voluntarily.
- Who
- The Ujjain district administration, police, mosque committee, Muslim community members, protesters and local businesses were involved; Inspector Pushpa Panchal was injured.
- What
- The planned removal of part of the Shahi Masjid for road widening led to protests, stone-pelting, tear-gas use and a reported baton charge.
- When
- Monday, September 28, 2026, after protests and negotiations over the preceding weekend.
- Where
- Around Shahi Masjid near Chhatri Chowk, Tanki Chowk and Gopal Mandir in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Authorities are widening roads and developing infrastructure ahead of Simhastha 2028 to manage expected traffic and visitors.
Mosque Representatives and Protesters
Administration and Project Supporters
Removal of the mosque section
Mosque Representatives and Protesters
Mosque representatives and protesters opposed removing part of the Shahi Masjid, sought protection for the structure and proposed widening the road on the opposite side, including near a hotel.
Administration and Project Supporters
The administration said the affected section falls within the approved road-widening area and that community members and the religious group agreed to remove it themselves.
Historical significance
Mosque Representatives and Protesters
Mosque representatives said the mosque is 636 years old or centuries old, while documents cited in reports establish that it is more than 100 years old; Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi called it a 600-year-old heritage site.
Administration and Project Supporters
Officials emphasized the road-widening and infrastructure requirements for Simhastha 2028; the reports do not provide a direct official response to the differing historical-age claims.
Alternative alignment and timing
Mosque Representatives and Protesters
Opponents urged authorities to widen the road from the other side and questioned proceeding while legal proceedings were ongoing.
Administration and Project Supporters
The administration continued the work after negotiations, citing the road project and an agreement for voluntary removal; officials also urged people to ignore rumours and misinformation.
- Road project
- A roughly 900-metre route between Kanthal Square and Gopal Mandir is planned to be widened to 15 metres; reports also describe the route as extending from Koyla Phatak toward Gopal Mandir.
- Affected mosque section
- Collector Raushan Kumar Singh said the Master Plan covers a 9-foot front section and a 4-foot side section; another report measured the affected portion at about 4.5 by 9 feet.
- Removal method
- Community members used chisels and hammers to remove walls and metal grilles because mosque representatives feared machinery could damage the stone structure.
- Police response
- Police fired tear-gas shells after stone-pelting was reported; one account said more than a dozen shells were used, while several reports also mentioned a baton charge.
- Security deployment
- One report cited about 1,000 personnel, while another reported more than 2,500 police personnel and officers; Rapid Action Force personnel were also deployed.
- Officer injured
- Crime Branch Inspector Pushpa Panchal suffered a cut on her hand, received first aid and had it bandaged; police said no women protesters were injured.
- Legal proceedings
- Reports said the Indore Bench had dismissed challenges to municipal notices; one account said the Shahi Masjid committee’s petition was disposed of Monday, while another said an appeal was awaiting a hearing.
- Business impact
- Shops and markets around Chhatri Chowk, Sarafa Bazaar, Dhaba Road, Lakherwadi, Satigate, Mochiwada, Mirza Naim Beg Marg and Tanki Chowk were affected by closures.
Sources
Uproar In Morning, Tension At Noon, Uneasy Calm By Evening In MP’s Ujjain
Tensions Rise in Ujjain Over Shahi Masjid Road-Widening Project; Police Deploy Tear Gas Amid Stone-Pelting
Ujjain Shahi Masjid row turns violent during road widening; stones pelted, tear gas fired
Ujjain Shahi Masjid Removal Sparks Tension; Stone-Pelting, Tear Gas Reported During Road Widening | VIDEO
