Ujjain (HRNW) — A portion of the historic Shahi Masjid, described in reports as nearly 600 years old, has been removed in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, as part of a road-widening project ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh 2028.
The Ujjain Municipal Corporation is widening a road to around 15 metres, with part of the mosque falling within the proposed alignment. The removal has prompted concern and protests among members of the local Muslim community.
According to local authorities, the affected portion of the mosque is being removed as part of a broader road-development project. Officials have said that religious and other structures obstructing the planned road expansion are being addressed as part of the development work.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had earlier dismissed petitions challenging the proposed partial demolition, holding that the authorities had followed the required legal procedure and citing public-interest considerations related to traffic management and the expected large number of visitors during Simhastha 2028.
The issue triggered tensions in Ujjain, with clashes reported between local residents and police. Authorities subsequently warned against misinformation, after police said AI-generated videos falsely depicting the entire mosque being demolished had circulated on social media.
Recent reports indicate that the entire mosque has not been demolished; the action concerns a portion of the structure affected by the road-widening plan.
Human Angle
Historic religious sites are important to the cultural and religious heritage of communities. Development projects involving such places can have significant social and emotional consequences, making transparent procedures, respect for religious sensitivities and accurate public information particularly important.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly available media reports and statements attributed to authorities and other parties. HRNW has not independently verified all historical and legal claims concerning the mosque.
