Ujjain mosque row: Congress MLA Arif Masood appeals for restraint; urges govt resolve issue through dialogue
Congress MLA Arif Masood urges restraint and dialogue in the Ujjain mosque dispute to avoid force amid Simhastha 2028 road widening tensions.
Amidst rising tensions in Ujjain regarding the proposed demolition of part of a mosque for road widening, Congress MLA Arif Masood has made a public plea for calm. The dispute, which stems from infrastructure preparations for the Simhastha 2028, has led to significant friction between protesters and law enforcement.
Call for patience and dialogue
Arif Masood urged the citizens of Madhya Pradesh to ignore rumors and maintain peace. He highlighted that the Shahar Qazi of Ujjain, along with representative committees and local residents, have been conducting a peaceful protest for nearly two days. According to Masood, discussions with the administration are already in progress and have moved toward a potential resolution.
Addressing the authorities directly, the MLA appealed to the Chief Minister—who also holds the Home Department portfolio—and the police administration to avoid forceful measures. "When dialogue is underway, and the matter has already reached the High Court, you should not order a lathi charge or attempt to forcibly remove people," Masood stated.
Negotiations over road widening extent
The core of the dispute involves how much land must be surrendered for the upcoming road-widening project. Masood revealed that negotiations are currently focused on the specific dimensions of the area to be cleared. Key points of the ongoing discussion include:
- The committee has expressed a willingness to provide a portion of the upper section of the shops.
- There are currently differing views within the committees regarding whether the widening should be six-and-a-half feet or three-and-a-half feet.
- Legal proceedings are simultaneously active in the High Court to determine the final outcome.
Masood questioned the urgency of a forceful crackdown, noting that since discussions are still active and nothing has been finalized, there is no need for immediate escalation.
Addressing reports of violence
When questioned about reports of stone-pelting during the protests, Masood suggested that the incident requires a separate investigation. He emphasized that determining responsibility is crucial before drawing conclusions, stating, "We will see who threw the stones, what happened and whether there was any conspiracy."
The situation in Ujjain remains volatile. Earlier, clashes were reported between the police and protesters, leading to the deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel. Following reports of stone-pelting, security forces reportedly utilized tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse the crowds as they attempt to manage the escalating tension.