International Desk //

Tensions have flared in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh over the removal of a section of the 600-year-old Shahi Mosque. Clashes between protesters and the police also took place on Monday.

Intense tension and confrontations arose when the process of demolishing a part of the historic Shahi Mosque began as part of a road-widening project. When local residents attempted to block the move, clashes with security forces ensued, and police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

The road is being widened in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, scheduled to be held in Ujjain in 2028. Plans are underway to expand the approximately 900-meter-long stretch from Kathal Chauraha to Gopal Mandir to a width of 15 meters. A large crowd gathered at the site when the Ujjain Municipal Corporation began work to remove the specific section of the Shahi Mosque that fell within the project’s layout.

Earlier, on Sunday night, hundreds of local residents and members of the Muslim community had gathered on the mosque premises to protest against the road-widening initiative. Although the mosque committee held discussions with the administration throughout the night, no permanent solution was reached. While there was talk of an understanding between the administration and mosque representatives, the situation heated up again on Monday morning due to opposition from locals when the demolition work commenced.

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