A clash broke out between police and a group of people in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain on Monday over the proposed removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project. Stones were allegedly pelted during the confrontation, following which police used tear gas shells to control the situation. Rapid Action Force personnel were also deployed at the spot.
Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma said the work was being carried out with the involvement of the mosque committee and that security arrangements had been made as a precaution. “Certain miscreants attempted to create a disturbance and resorted to stone-pelting,” Sharma told ANI.
The controversy began after the Ujjain administration planned to remove around 10 feet of the mosque structure that was reportedly coming in the way of the proposed road expansion from Kanthal Square to Gopal Mandir. The project is part of the city’s infrastructure plan ahead of Simhastha Kumbh 2028.
Why Was The Shahi Masjid Portion Proposed To Be Removed?
Under Ujjain’s Master Plan 2035, a 15-metre-wide road has been proposed between Kanthal Square and Gopal Mandir. According to authorities, a portion of the Shahi Masjid was falling within the planned road alignment, leading to the proposal for its removal.
The route connects key locations, including Mahakaleshwar Temple, Gopal Mandir and the Shipra River. Authorities said the road expansion is aimed at improving traffic movement and managing the large number of devotees expected during Simhastha 2028 and other religious events.
According to reports, around 272 structures have been affected by the road expansion plan.
Who Proposed The Action?
The proposal was made by the Ujjain Municipal Corporation as part of the road-widening project. The matter was also challenged in the Madhya Pradesh High Court by the mosque committee, which argued that the structure was old and had historical significance.
After the petition was dismissed by a single bench, the matter was taken before a division bench. The court allowed the authorities to proceed with the planned action.
How Old Is The Shahi Masjid?
The age of the Shahi Masjid has also become part of the debate. Members of the Muslim community have described it as a centuries-old structure dating back to 1390, claiming it is around 636 years old, Indian Express reported.
However, historical records publicly available do not conclusively establish this exact date. Some heritage databases list its construction year as unknown, while experts cited in reports have questioned claims about its age due to the lack of archaeological evidence. The mosque is located at Chatri Chowk near Gopal Mandir in Ujjain’s old market area.