Ujjain Clashes: A large group of people clashed with police in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain on Monday morning at the spot where a portion of Shahi Masjid was planned to be demolished for a road-widening project. Stones were also pelted during the clashes after which police fired tear gas shells to control the situation, Nai Duniya report. Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel are also present at the spot.

What Led To The Clashes In Ujjain?

To widen the road from Kanthal Square to Gopal Mandir, approximately 10 feet of obstruction from the Shahi Masjid was scheduled to be removed. After talks between the administration and the Muslim community on Monday morning, members of the community themselves arrived to remove the obstruction. However, slogans were raised during this time, and some members protested the action. 

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Under the Ujjain Master Plan 2035, a 15-metre-wide road is proposed from Kanthal Square to Gopal Temple. A portion of the Shahi Masjid was obstructing the designated boundaries of this road. 

This route connects the Mahakaleshwar Temple, Gopal Temple, and the Shipra River. The road is being widened to facilitate the movement of devotees during Simhastha 2028 and other religious events.

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Situation Under Control In Ujjain: Police

Speaking to ANI, SP Pradeep Sharma said, "The demolition work, initiated by the mosque committee itself, is underway at the Shahi Masjid. As a precautionary measure, a full security perimeter has been established, and entry is prohibited for everyone. However, certain miscreants attempted to create a disturbance and resorted to stone-pelting."

"The police personnel present at the scene responded by using tear gas and mild force to disperse the crowd. Leaders from the Muslim community are also issuing video messages urging calm... The situation is now fully under control. The demolition work by the mosque committee is continuing steadily."

High Court To Hear Matter Today

The mosque committee had approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court to protest the demolition of the Shahi Masjid portion. They claimed that the masjid was more than 100 years old and had historical documents.

After the petition was dismissed by a single bench, it was again presented before a division bench. The petitioners claimed that the land from the mosque was given for traffic in 1975 and 40-foot-wide road exists on that land. The matter is scheduled to be heard again today.