Ujjain mosque demolition enters Day 2 amid stone-pelting fallout, 8 FIRs
Synopsis
A road-widening project for Simhastha 2028 has put Ujjain on edge — the second day of removing a portion of the Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk unfolded under heavy security after Day 1 saw stone-pelting, tear gas, eight FIRs, and 20 arrests. Authorities say the Muslim community had agreed to the removal, but social media mobilisation complicated the ground reality.
Key Takeaways
Removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk, Ujjain continued on 29 September 2026 — Day 2 — amid heavy police presence.
The structure falls within the alignment of a road being widened for Simhastha 2028 pilgrim movement.
Eight FIRs were registered across three police stations after stone-pelting disrupted work on Day 1; all 20 named accused have been arrested.
A separate FIR was filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita over allegedly misleading social media posts by Imran Khan and Arif Pathan on Instagram.
Ujjain Collector Raushan Kumar Singh confirmed the situation remained peaceful and under administrative control.
Nearby markets remained shut and flag marches were conducted as a precautionary measure.
The removal of a portion of the Shahi Masjid at Chhatri Chowk in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, entered its second consecutive day on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, with a heavy police presence and senior administrative officials stationed at the site following a stone-pelting incident that disrupted work the previous day. Markets in the vicinity remained shut, and regular flag marches were conducted across the area to maintain calm.
Why the Structure Is Being Removed
According to the district administration, the portion of the mosque being dismantled falls within the alignment of a road being widened as part of infrastructure preparations for Simhastha 2028 — the massive religious gathering that brings millions of pilgrims to Ujjain. The project aims to ease movement for pilgrims and religious processions through the city's congested core.
Notably, members of the Muslim community had reportedly agreed to voluntarily remove the affected section, following a meeting held on Sunday night between senior administrative and police officials and community representatives. Work commenced on Monday in the presence of officials.
Stone-Pelting and the Security Response
The removal was briefly disrupted on Monday after a crowd gathered at the site and allegedly pelted stones at deployed police personnel. Police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd and subsequently reinforced the security cordon around Chhatri Chowk. Senior officers remained at the spot overnight to supervise operations.
In total, eight FIRs have been registered across Mahakal, Kharakuwa, and Kotwali police stations in connection with the stone-pelting incidents, naming 20 people as accused. Police confirmed that all individuals named in those cases had been arrested.
Social Media FIR Over Misleading Content
Authorities also registered a separate FIR under Sections 196(1), 299, 353(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita over the alleged circulation of misleading messages and videos on social media. According to police, a person identified as Imran Khan had posted a message on Instagram on 27 September urging people to gather at Chhatri Chowk. In a separate video circulated via Instagram, a person identified as Arif Pathan allegedly called on people to assemble near the mosque at 2 a.m.
Administration Calls for Peace
Ujjain Collector Raushan Kumar Singh, who was personally present at the site, stated that the situation remained peaceful. 'Peace and security are fully maintained here, and the law and order situation is completely under control. We are present at the spot and closely monitoring the situation,' Singh said. He further appealed to residents to avoid spreading or believing rumours, adding, 'We appeal to everyone to continue extending cooperation, maintain peace and refrain from believing or spreading rumours.'
The situation on Day 2 remained largely calm, even as police deployment stayed at elevated levels. How the community and administration navigate the remaining work ahead of Simhastha 2028 will be closely watched in the days to come.
Point of View
And the resulting tension is amplified by social media mobilisation before authorities can shape the narrative. The administration's claim that the community had voluntarily agreed to the removal makes the subsequent violence harder to attribute — but also harder to independently verify without community voices on record. The Simhastha 2028 deadline creates a political and logistical pressure that will not ease, which means similar disputes over encroachments and alignments in Ujjain's congested core are likely before the event. How the state manages the communication around these interventions will matter as much as the physical work itself.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a portion of the Shahi Masjid in Ujjain being removed?
The section of the mosque being dismantled falls within the alignment of a road being widened as part of preparations for Simhastha 2028. The project is designed to improve connectivity and ease the movement of pilgrims through Ujjain's congested areas during the major religious gathering.
Did the Muslim community agree to the removal?
According to the district administration, community representatives agreed to voluntarily remove the affected portion following a meeting with senior officials on Sunday night. However, a crowd gathered at the site on Monday and stones were allegedly pelted at police, complicating that account.
What happened during the stone-pelting incident on Day 1?
On Monday, work was briefly disrupted after a crowd gathered at Chhatri Chowk and allegedly pelted stones at police. Officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd and reinforced security. Eight FIRs were subsequently filed across three police stations, with 20 people named as accused — all of whom have since been arrested.
What is the social media FIR about?
Police filed a separate FIR under Sections 196(1), 299, 353(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita over allegedly misleading content on Instagram. A person identified as Imran Khan reportedly posted on 27 September urging people to gather at Chhatri Chowk, while another individual identified as Arif Pathan allegedly called for a 2 a.m. assembly near the mosque.
What is Simhastha 2028 and why does it matter here?
Simhastha is a major Hindu pilgrimage held in Ujjain every 12 years that draws millions of devotees. Infrastructure upgrades — including road widening — are underway to handle the expected influx in 2028, and it is this project that necessitated the removal of the mosque's encroaching portion according to authorities.
