Police used tear gas and force to disperse people who were protesting in India against the planned demolition of a ‘600-year-old’ mosque. Several people were detained, and some were arrested after clashes broke out near the mosque.
The protests have erupted in Ujjain after authorities started work to remove a portion of the mosque as part of a road-widening project.
Police use tear gas on Muslim protesters
The situation became tense when protesters and police clashed. Police used tear gas to control the crowd after stones were reportedly thrown at security personnel.
Ujjain police said they used mild force to disperse the crowd. Police officials also said that some people were arrested and 15 others were detained.
A case was reportedly registered against seven people. Police said some of those named had shared statements on social media that officials considered inflammatory.
The use of force against people protesting the removal of a religious site has added to concerns over the way the dispute is being handled.
Many have called for greater sensitivity towards the Muslim community and the historical value of the mosque.
The mosque committee has also challenged the removal in court. The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore Bench had earlier dismissed petitions against the project. The committee has since approached a higher bench.
Protest over Shahi Masjid removal
Hundreds of people gathered near the mosque in India as authorities moved ahead with the removal work.
The Shahi Masjid is located along the road between Kanthal Chauraha and Gopal Mandir.
The road is being widened to 15 metres ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh in 2028. Several structures in the planned road area have been marked for removal.
Members of the Muslim community have asked authorities to find another way to widen the road. They say religious sites should be protected from the project.
The mosque’s imam Mohammad Ibrahim has claimed that the building is 636 years old and dates back to 1390.
