Clashes in Ujjain over demolition of part of mosque, 15 detained

A protest by Muslims in Ujjain over the demolition of a mosque led to a clash with the police on Monday, September 28, 2026. Photo credit: Special arrangement

Police arrested 15 people, including five content creators, and booked seven FIRs after a group clashed with security personnel in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain on Monday before demolishing part of the Shahi Mosque over a road widening project in preparation for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The situation is calm now but tight security remains in sensitive areas, officials told The Hindu.

Later that day, a division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Indore heard two petitions by Muslim representatives after they informed the court that the matter had been settled with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.

The clashes took place when several community members started removing the three-metre overhang of a mosque near the Mahakaleshwar temple on Sunday night in agreement with the administration. But another section started protesting against it. While the area around the mosque was barricaded, the group tried to enter the site and clashed with security personnel. Some security guards were injured in the stone pelting.

Ujjain Inspector General of Police Rakesh Gupta told The Hindu that the situation was brought under control using mild force, including baton charge and tear gas. The group also protested outside the city headquarters of qazi Khaliq-ur-Rahman and pelted stones, he said.

Mr. Gupta said the tension was due to a rumor that the administration was using bulldozers on the mosque.

“Several meetings were held with the representatives of the Muslim community in the last few days and on Sunday evening it was agreed that they themselves would remove the necessary parts. But in the morning, community members started gathering on the roofs and when the community representatives started breaking the parts, a part of the community, mostly youth, tried to march towards the mosque and created a disturbance,” he said.

Mr. Gupta said seven cases were filed under the relevant provisions for various incidents, including at the city qazi’s house, and for spreading misinformation and inciting people.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Sharma said the situation was brought under control before 9 am after which the demolition work began. He said 15 people were in custody and police were scanning social media, CCTV and drone footage to identify other suspects.

“Religious leaders and representatives are with the administration but the incident was carried out by a disgruntled faction within the Muslim community. We have already taken 15 people into custody and legal action is being taken against them,” he said.

Ujjain Collector Roshan Kumar Singh said community members started removing the section after the situation calmed down. He said only a small portion of the mosque, located in Ujjain’s Chhatri Chowk, has to be removed due to road widening work on a 900-metre stretch.

City qazi Khali Kurre Rehman released a video message asking community members not to believe rumours. “The matter regarding the mosque was resolved overnight by mutual agreement. There is no situation that requires anyone to visit the place. The task that was promised to be completed is currently being carried out. Everyone is requested not to heed any rumors and not to come out of their homes and visit the place unnecessarily based on such rumours,” he said.

On September 9, the High Court dismissed two appeals against the proposed demolition. In the order, Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt observed, “Keeping in mind the upcoming event of Simhastha Kumbh in 2028, keeping in mind the expectation of millions of devotees as well as the need to provide better facilities and manage the operation of such events; and in view of the situation in the premises in question which is almost inimical to the safety of the public and in the Mahakalesh river which is very close to the Krasheshwar river. and in larger public interest, the action taken by the respondent (state authorities) was found after complying with the necessary provisions of the law.”

As part of the ongoing preparations for Simhastha, which is organized every 12 years in Ujjain, several parts of the city and nearby pockets are being developed to facilitate the movement of pilgrims. The holy city has been struggling with traffic jams for years. Mr. Singh said preparations are being made to host an estimated 45 million pilgrims.

Published – 28 Sep 2026 13:17 IST