Thousands of Muslims Occupy Historic Shahi Mosque in Ujjain to Halt Partial Demolition
India: Hundreds to thousands of Muslims have been sitting inside the historic Shahi Masjid in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain in rotating shifts for more than two weeks, determined to prevent the partial demolition of the structure as part of a road-widening project linked to preparations for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh.
Community members describe the mosque, also known as Shahi Masjid Waqf Panchayat Mochiyaan, as dating back to around 1390, more than 600 years old, and a registered waqf property located near the Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Kshipra River. The proposed work would remove a portion of the prayer hall (Jamat Khana), affect a reported 120-foot minaret, and impact related structures to widen the road to 15 metres.
Local resident Tauqeer Khan said people have unanimously agreed to occupy the mosque in large numbers around the clock so that all five daily prayers continue uninterrupted. “All the time, there is a large number of people sitting inside the mosque,” he noted. On one recent night, police reinforced their presence with the Rapid Action Force and brought in bulldozers, but the large gathering inside and outside the premises led authorities to halt the operation. At least a thousand people were reported inside after Zuhr prayers on one of the days, with participants rotating in shifts.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court earlier dismissed petitions challenging the Ujjain Municipal Corporation’s demolition notices, citing public interest, traffic management, and the need to accommodate large crowds expected during the Simhastha Kumbh pilgrimage. The court noted that similar action had already been taken against numerous other religious structures in the city. Mosque representatives have argued that the structure is ancient and that alternatives, such as widening the road from the opposite side, should be considered instead.
As of the latest reports, heavy security remains deployed around the complex. Some community members later participated in removing a limited obstructing portion amid negotiations, while protests, sporadic stone-pelting, and police use of tear gas were also reported in the area. Legal challenges, including approaches to higher courts, continue.
The sit-in reflects broader community efforts to protect what they view as a significant religious and historical site amid infrastructure works ahead of the major Hindu pilgrimage event.
