Ujjain Police Use Tear Gas After Stones Thrown During Mosque Protest

Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Ujjain on Monday after stones were thrown during protests against the removal of part of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project, officials and local media reported.

The clash took place as work began to remove part of the mosque that falls on the proposed alignment of a road that is being expanded ahead of the 2028 Simhastha religious congregation.

More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed around the site and Rapid Action Force personnel were also present. As tensions grew, police set up barricades and restricted movement.

Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said some protesters tried to create disturbances and pelted stones at police. Officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas and mild force, he said. According to Sharma, some police personnel sustained minor injuries before the situation was eventually brought under control.

According to local reports, the mosque committee and district administration had reached an understanding over the removal of the affected section, with members of the committee beginning the work themselves.

In light of opposition to the project, the Madhya Pradesh High Court was set to hear the case on Monday.