Ujjain: Tension gripped Ujjain on Monday when a protest against the partial demolition of the Shahi Mosque turned violent. Police used tear gas to disperse stone-pelting protesters.
The Ujjain Municipal Corporation had decided to demolish part of the mosque as part of a road-widening project. Officials reached the site to remove the structure, and members of one community staged a protest against the move. Police deployed in large numbers and urged the demonstrators to protest peacefully, but the appeal went unheeded.
As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, Rapid Action Force personnel joined the police at the scene. Officials said protesters hurled stones at authorities, and police fired tear gas to disperse them. The situation was brought under control after several hours.
Authorities said 272 other structures, in addition to the mosque, will be demolished for the project. The municipality plans a 730-metre road from Khajur Wali Mosque to Ganesh Chowk, at a cost of Rs 9.8 crore, ahead of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Several petitioners had approached the Supreme Court against the mosque’s partial demolition. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had earlier dismissed the challenge.