Shahi Masjid Part Removed in Ujjain, Social Media Creators Face Police Crack down

A portion of Ujjain historic Shahi Masjid that falls with in the alignment identified for road widening continued to be removed on Monday, while police stepped up action against people allegedly involved in escalating tensions surrounding the site. According to Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma, the removal of the affected portion is being carried out with the consent of the mosque committee. Police have also begun identifying individuals whose activities or social media posts, according to authorities, may have contributed to tensions around the location. Sharma said 15 people had so far been taken into custody, while an FIR had been registered against seven individuals. Social media content creators are among those named in the police action. The action to remove the affected portion of the mosque is continuing with the consent of the committee, Sharma said. He further said that police were continuously monitoring social media platforms and taking action against individuals allegedly spreading rumours or posting provocative material. Police Monitoring Social Media Activity The police response has extended beyond the immediate area around the mosque, with authorities closely monitoring posts and videos related to the development. According to Sharma, action is being taken against content that authorities consider capable of spreading rumours or provoking tensions. Social media creators are among those facing police action, highlighting the role that online content has played in the authorities response to the situation. The police have not said that every social media post concerning the mosque is unlawful. Their stated focus is on material allegedly involving rumours or provocative content. Road Widening At Centre Of Action The portion being removed is understood to be the part of the historic structure that falls with in the alignment required for road widening. The removal is taking place with the consent of the mosque committee, according to the Ujjain SP. The development there for involve both the on going road widening work and the administration’s efforts to prevent tensions from escalating around the site. The situation has attracted attention because of the religious significance of the structure and the sensitivity surrounding changes to religious sites. Police Detentions And FIR Police have so far detained 15 people and registered an FIR against seven, according to Sharma. The police action is focused on individuals whom authorities allege may have contributed to tensions surrounding the site. The inclusion of social media content creators in the FIR reflect the administration stated concern over online material connected with the situation. Authorities are continuing to monitor developments and social media activity as the removal work progresse. A Sensitive Situation The development in Ujjain combine a civic infrastructure project with a religiously sensitive location, making the situation particularly important for local authorities. While the mosque committee has consented to the removal of the affected portion, police are simultaneously attempting to prevent the circulation of material that could intensify tensions. The coming developments are likely to depend on the completion of the removal work, the police investigation into those booked and any further action concerning social media content. For now, the administration stated approach is focused on allowing the road widening related removal to continue while taking action against what police describe as rumours and provocative material.