Ujjain road widening: Stone pelting erupts as mosque portion removed for infrastructure

Tensions escalated in Ujjain on Monday when a Muslim mob protested the removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid as part of a road-widening initiative. Protesters allegedly pelted stones at police and pushed against barricades, prompting authorities to deploy tear gas and conduct lathi-charges. One police personnel was injured, and additional forces including RAF personnel were mobilized to control the situation.

The violence disrupted normalcy across parts of Ujjain, forcing market closures and early school shutdowns. Police divided affected areas into four sectors and registered FIRs against multiple detainees and arrested individuals. AIMIM Madhya Pradesh president Mohsin Ali Khan was also taken into custody while travelling to Ujjain regarding the dispute.

The 15-metre road project between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir is part of Ujjain's infrastructure preparation for Simhastha 2028, expected to attract millions of pilgrims. Multiple structures fall within the proposed alignment, including the mosque portion, raising questions about balancing religious structures with public infrastructure development.