Behind Ujjain clash, crowd ‘misguided’ by AI videos showing entire mosque being razed

Clashes erupted in Ujjain over the partial demolition of the Shahi Masjid, a mosque complex that includes a prayer hall, ablution facilities, a 120-foot minaret, and a historic structure called the Mazhar Chouk Shahi. The incident occurred ahead of the 2028 Simhastha, a major Hindu pilgrimage. The Madhya Pradesh Police alleged that a faction of the mosque committee, discontented with the demolition, had mobilized the crowd by spreading false AI-generated videos – one depicting the mosque's complete demolition – on social media.

The matter was sanctioned by the MP High Court on September 9. Tens of thousands of residents gathered around the mosque on Sunday night, forming a human chain, as police deployed 2,500 personnel from local police stations and Rapid Action Force units. Negotiations ensued, leading to a resolution, but tensions flared again on Monday morning, with stones being thrown at security personnel.

Police responded with tear gas and lathicharge. By Monday afternoon, the mosque committee members proceeded to demolish the structures under the mosque's authority. The police are probing the sources of the misleading videos, registering five FIRs against social media pages or influencers spreading the rumors.