Ujjain (MP), Sept. 28 -- Tensions flared in Ujjain on Monday as police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that pelted stones during a protest against the proposed removal of a portion of the 100-year-old Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh 2028, even as the Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of two appeals after the mosque management and Ujjain Municipal Corporation reached an agreement on the issue. Police said some people were arrested, 15 detained and a case registered against seven persons, including social media influencers accused of posting inflammatory messages and inciting people.

Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said police initially tried to persuade the protesters to cooperate before using mild force and tear gas. No injuries were reported. "CCTV cameras have been installed and drone cameras are also monitoring the area. Through these cameras, those involved in the stone-pelting are being identified, and legal action will be taken," Sharma said. Police also conducted flag marches and continued monitoring social media.

The incident came as the High Court's Indore bench of Justices Subodh Abhyankar and Jai Kumar Pillai disposed of the appeals after being informed that an agreement had been reached. Lawyer Kuldeep Pathak said the administration had initially sought removal of about 9.5 feet of the mosque, but the agreement provided for around three feet.

A minaret would be relocated within the building and alternative shops would be provided for affected ground-floor shops.

The road from Kanthal crossing to Gopal Mandir is being widened to 15 metres over a 900-metre stretch to facilitate movement of pilgrims. The larger project affects 272 structures, including religious sites, with around Rs 9.8 crore sanctioned by the state government.

Collector Roshan Singh said the mosque portion was being removed voluntarily and appealed against rumours. City Qazi Khalil-ur-Rehman also urged people not to gather at the site unnecessarily. On Sunday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav began removing part of his ancestral house as part of the road-widening drive.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.