Security personnel stand guard during the removal of a portion of the ‘Shahi Masjid’ for a road-widening project in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Fourteen people have been arrested and more than 30 booked so far in connection with the violence in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain over the demolition of a portion of a mosque, even as members of the Muslim community continued to remove the necessary portions amid tight police security, officials said on Tuesday (September 29, 2026). Various people who had been detained were let go after questioning.
The police are also searching for five social media content creators, who have been booked for allegedly circulating video generated with artificial intelligence (AI), which are believed to have provoked people to march to the Shahi Masjid and clash with the police.
On Monday (September 28, 2026) morning, clashes erupted in Ujjain when a group of locals tried to march to the mosque to stop the demolition work pertaining to a three-foot portion for a road widening project, as part of preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028. The demolition work was being carried out by members of the mosque committee based on an agreement reached with the local administration on Sunday (September 28, 2026) night.
The police have so far lodged eight cases in connection with the violence, including five First Information Reports (FIRs) against the content creators.
Ujjain Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Sharma told The Hindu that at least 14 people have been arrested so far while multiple teams are working to identify and nab more suspects.
“Teams are working to trace some of the accused who are absconding, including the content creators who shared provocative content. We are also closely monitoring social media for any such content that can instigate people,” Mr. Sharma said.
While the content was taken down from social media platforms soon after the clashes, the police have said that the videos spread a rumour that the authorities were demolishing the entire mosque structure with bulldozer and excavator machines.
Some of the videos urged people to gather at the mosque, another senior police officer said.
As part of preparations for the Simhastha and the Ujjain Master Plan 2035, several road widening projects are underway in the holy city, and several residential and commercial properties, and religious structures, including temples, have been removed. Various other structures have also been marked for removal in near the Kshipra river and the Mahakaleshwar temple.
Published – September 29, 2026 10:39 pm IST
