Police and a crowd of more than 500 hurled stones and used tear gas shells to quell a riot when a group of residents tried to halt demolition work at the Shahi Mosque site in Ujjain on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Rapid Action Force teams joined the police, but the protestors continued to chant slogans and block access to the mosque’s prayer hall.
The demolition plan, part of a 29‑kilometre road‑widening project aimed at easing traffic for the Simhastha Mela in 2028, lists 272 structures for removal—including the mosque’s minaret, prayer hall, and associated outbuildings. The Shahi Mosque, dating back to around 1390, is a centuries‑old Waqf property that local historians say contains architectural elements from the early Mughal period.
Earlier this year, the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed petitions that challenged the municipal corporation’s notices, citing the public interest and the need for improved traffic flow ahead of the 12‑year‑old pilgrimage. The court has now set a new hearing for the issue, to be held later this week in Indore.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi condemned the demolition, saying it was a “height of hatred” to raze a 600‑year‑old heritage site for road widening. He urged the state government to respect public sentiment and to seek alternative land for the project.
Ujjain Municipal Corporation Chairperson Kalawati Yadav explained that the city is building new ghats, diversions, and drainage works to accommodate the millions of pilgrims expected at the Simhastha. She emphasized that the road‑widening was essential for safety and logistics, but acknowledged the cultural sensitivities involved.
The court’s upcoming hearing will determine whether the demolition order can stand. Meanwhile, protestors have set up a barricade near the mosque’s entrance, and police have increased their presence to prevent further clashes.