Ujjain, September 28 (TNA) Tension prevailed in Ujjain on Monday as residents and members of the Muslim community protested against the proposed removal of a portion of the historic Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project. The situation escalated when protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel, prompting the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The affected portion of the mosque falls within the proposed alignment of the road between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir. The road-widening work is being undertaken ahead of Simhastha 2028, and the Ujjain Municipal Corporation initiated action to remove the structure falling within the alignment.
Hundreds of people had gathered near the mosque overnight to oppose the action. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in large numbers, while barricades were placed within a 500-metre radius of the site and movement in the area was restricted.
The protest continued for two days before the confrontation broke out on Monday morning. Authorities used tear-gas shells after the crowd and police came face-to-face during the removal operation.
The mosque committee has challenged the proposed action before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing on Monday, even as security forces remain deployed in the area to prevent further escalation.