Our Bureau
Ujjain
Tension gripped Ujjain on Monday as protesters clashed with police during an operation to remove a portion of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh. Police used tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd after stones were allegedly thrown at security personnel.
The confrontation occurred as the Ujjain Municipal Corporation moved ahead with removing the portion of the mosque that falls within the proposed alignment of a road connecting Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir. The narrow portion is planned to be widened to 15 metres as part of preparations for the major religious gathering.
Discussions were held between the administration and community representatives, with reports suggesting that an understanding was reached for the affected portion to be removed by community members themselves. The situation, however, turned tense later.
The administration has deployed a large security contingent around the site, while barricades and movement restrictions were imposed in the surrounding area as authorities attempted to prevent further escalation.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had earlier dismissed petitions challenging the proposed removal.
The road-widening project is part of Ujjain’s preparations for Simhastha 2028.