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

In Ujjain, clashes erupted over the removal of a section of the Shahi Masjid to accommodate a road widening project ahead of the 2028 Simhastha. The Madhya Pradesh Police alleged that a faction of the mosque committee, dissatisfied with the planned demolition, had mobilized the crowd. Younger members of the group fell victim to AI-generated videos falsely depicting the mosque's destruction.

The demolition, approved by the MP High Court on September 9, was ultimately carried out by mosque committee members with the court's permission. Tensions escalated during a night-long standoff, with thousands gathering outside the mosque and police deploying tear gas and lathicharge. The city Qazi, Khalil Qureshi Rehman, reported that the matter was resolved through mutual agreement in negotiations, but tensions flared again on Monday morning when the crowd turned violent.

The police responded with tear gas, resulting in the arrest of over 15 individuals and the registration of more than 100 Instagram accounts. The incident highlights the ongoing dispute over the mosque's authority and administration, with two factions filing petitions claiming representation rights.