Unrest gripped Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, over the past weekend as local residents and community members fiercely resisted the partial demolition of the nearly 600-year-old Shahi Masjid. The tension, stemming from a road-widening project for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh 2028, culminated in police action on Monday, September 28, following days of continuous vigil outside the historic structure.
Hundreds gathered from late Friday, September 25, maintaining a protest vigil until Sunday night, September 27. The sustained demonstration, aimed at preventing municipal bulldozer action, intensified into a confrontation on Monday. Paramilitary forces deployed tear gas shells and conducted a lathi-charge in the narrow lanes surrounding the mosque, clashing with the Muslim group that resisted the demolition efforts.
In a poignant turn, volunteers from the mosque committee themselves commenced demolishing three feet of the mosque's hanging slab. This desperate measure sought to preempt the municipal bulldozers, with clips from the area showing devotees breaking down in tears as the structural removal began.
The Ujjain Municipal Corporation's (UMC) partial demolition plan received legal backing from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Justice Sandeep N Bhatt had previously dismissed two petitions challenging the demolition notice, deeming the administrative action lawful under existing statutory provisions. The court cited the mosque's location, the massive influx of devotees expected for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028, and the critical need for traffic management as justifications for its ruling. Local residents reported the Muslim community had been camping inside the mosque, fearing the impending demolition.
Image: siasat.com
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf