Ujjain Collector Warns Against Rumours After Shahi Masjid Damage
Ujjain Collector Roshan Kumar Singh warns of strict action against misinformation following damage to a portion of the Shahi Masjid during road work.
Ujjain Collector Roshan Kumar Singh has issued a stern warning against the spread of misinformation and rumours following damage to a portion of the Shahi Masjid during a road-widening operation. The incident, which occurred at Chhatri Chowk, has triggered heightened security and administrative vigilance across the city.
No Casualties Reported During Removal Process
The damage occurred as authorities were working on a project alignment involving the removal of a specific section of the mosque. Addressing the situation, the Collector clarified that the affected area was strictly within the designated scope of the ongoing road-widening project. He emphasized that despite the structural damage, there has been no loss of life, no injuries, and no individuals were trapped during the process.
"Regarding the road widening work, the section of the mosque at Chhatri Chowk that falls within the project's scope sustained some damage during the removal process," the Collector stated, according to the Ujjain Police PRO. He urged the public to ignore false narratives and stay calm.
Ongoing Dialogue with Community Leaders
To manage the sensitivities surrounding the site, local authorities have been engaging in direct discussions with religious and community leaders who were present at the location. The Collector underscored that any attempt to circulate misleading news or fabricated content would be met with strict legal consequences.
Heightened Security Amidst Past Clashes
The current tension follows a period of unrest on September 28, when clashes erupted during the initial removal of the mosque portion aligned with the road project. During those incidents, police were forced to use tear gas and baton charges to control crowds following reports of stone-pelting. Consequently, security remains intensified around the mosque and other sensitive zones in the city.
In a related development, nine individuals accused of involvement in the previous stone-pelting incidents were taken to the Ujjain district hospital for medical examinations. Dr. Jitendra Sharma, the Medical Officer, confirmed that all nine individuals were found to be in normal condition with no external injuries reported.
Combatting AI-Generated Misinformation
Authorities are keeping a close watch on social media platforms to curb the spread of inflammatory content. Police have noted that fabricated and AI-generated images, which falsely depicted the complete demolition of the mosque, have been circulating online, significantly contributing to public tension.
The infrastructure work, which includes the removal of the affected mosque section, is part of the large-scale development projects being undertaken in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028.