Protests in Ujjain over demolition of portion of mosque for road-widening project

Protesters in Ujjain clashed with police on Monday (September 28, 2026) as tensions escalated over the proposed demolition of a section of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project. The police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd, which had been hurling stones at authorities, according to officials. The protest came ahead of a hearing at the Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore Bench on a petition related to the demolition plans.

The road from Kanthal crossing to Gopal Mandir is being widened to 15 meters in preparation for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The project involves the removal or modification of structures within a 900-meter stretch, including the disputed portion of the mosque. Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma stated that some individuals attempted to incite a disturbance, prompting the police to attempt to engage them peacefully before employing mild force to disperse the group.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav personally began the demolition of his ancestral house on Sunday (September 27, 2026), setting the stage for the broader road-widening work. The protest on Monday was specifically against the proposed removal of the mosque section. Police spokesman Sharma noted that all parties had cooperated with the administration for Simhastha preparations, and efforts were being made through dialogue to resolve the issue. Police had deployed cameras and drones for monitoring purposes.

The road is a crucial artery in the city, and the widening is intended to enhance traffic flow during the large religious gathering. The High Court dismissed petitions challenging the mosque demolition on September 9, and the mosque's authorities had an appeal hearing on Monday. Security has been heightened in the area following the protest. The road-widening initiative is part of a larger effort affecting 272 structures across Ujjain, with the state government allocating approximately ₹9.8 crore for the project.