Ujjain Simhastha 2028: Mosque Section Set for Voluntary Removal as Road-Widening Work Accelerates

Ujjain: Preparations for the Simhastha 2028 Mahakumbh are gathering pace, with road-widening work underway across the city. As part of the project, the process of voluntarily removing a portion of the Shahi Masjid is set to resume Tuesday morning amid tight security.

Faheem Sikandar, a member of the representative committee, said that several rounds of discussions involving the local administration, the City Qazi and mosque committee representatives resulted in an agreement to cooperate with the road-widening project.

Muslim Community Agrees to Remove Affected Section

Sikandar said the Muslim community respects the development work being undertaken ahead of Simhastha 2028 and has agreed to assist the administration in removing the portion of the mosque that falls within the road-widening alignment.

According to him, the mosque committee had initially sought to protect the religious structure and minimise any damage. However, after discussions, an agreement was reached to remove the section that obstructs the proposed road expansion.

Rather than immediately deploying heavy machinery, members of the community reportedly began removing the affected portion of the mosque wall themselves.

3 to 8 Feet Under Discussion

The precise extent of the structure to be removed has not been finalised. Discussions have reportedly centred on removing around 3 to 8 feet from a section of the wall associated with the mazar or dargah.

The development reportedly triggered protests and incidents of stone-pelting in some areas after the information did not reach all community members on Monday night. The situation later calmed after senior members explained that the work was proceeding on the basis of mutual consent.

Sikandar said the removal process could take seven to eight days, with machinery to be deployed if required. Work is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning under heightened security arrangements.

Madhya Pradesh High Court Takes Note of Agreement

The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has also dealt with the matter. A division bench comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pai disposed of writ appeals filed by both sides after an agreement was reached between representatives of the Muslim community and the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.

Kuldeep Pathak, counsel for the Muslim side, said the administration had initially proposed removal of a 9.5-foot section. Following discussions, however, the parties agreed to remove approximately 3 feet.

The court directed the Municipal Corporation to adhere to the assurances given and the terms contained in the relevant notice.