Ujjain Mosque Clash: AI Videos Mislead Crowd, Police Crack Down

Clashes erupted in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday as a large crowd gathered outside the Shahi Masjid. There, a portion of the mosque was being removed for road widening ahead of the 2028 Simhastha festival.

The situation escalated when some younger members of the mosque committee were misled by AI-generated videos showing the entire mosque being demolished, according to police.

Investigators are examining several social media events that spread the false information. And have filed five FIRs against as many social media pages or influencers. The investigation has so far resulted in 15 people being arrested.

A contentious power struggle has emerged over the mosque's administration. With the Madhya Pradesh High Court's recent approval of partial demolition sparking a heated debate. Two factions have emerged, each claiming a stake in the mosque and its Waqf property.

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The Shahi Masjid Waqf Panchayat Mochiyaan, represented by Ashfaq Ahmad, has filed a petition. Meanwhile, the Shahi Masjid Waqf Panch Mochiyan, led by Arshan Hussain, has lodged a connected case. The dispute has pitted these two groups against each other.

With the court's decision serving as a catalyst for the bitter fight over authority.

By Monday afternoon, however, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, hearing a writ appeal against its order for partial demolition, was informed that the Muslim side had agreed to cooperate with the authorities, and disposed of the petition. By evening, mosque committee members could be seen demolishing the structures.

One of the committee members, Mohammad Yunus, stated that this was his third Simhastha festival, and that the committee serves devotees by offering poha and tea. He also mentioned that the Ganga-Jamuni culture is an integral part of their tradition. And that they are ready to cooperate with the police.

The partial demolition of the mosque has raised concerns about the impact on the community and the preservation of cultural heritage. The authorities have assured that the demolition is part of the road widening project. And that the mosque's administration will be reformed in accordance with the court's order.

The investigation into the social media events that spread false information is ongoing. And the authorities are working to identify the individuals and groups responsible for the misleading content. The arrest of 15 people is a significant step towards addressing the issue.

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And the authorities are committed to ensuring that justice is served.

The situation in Ujjain is being closely monitored, and the authorities are working to prevent any further escalation. The partial demolition of the mosque has sparked a heated debate. And the community is waiting to see how the situation will unfold in the coming days.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision to cooperate with the authorities has brought a sense of relief to the community. And the mosque committee members are now focused on completing the demolition work. The future of the mosque and its administration remains uncertain.

However, one thing is clear – the community will not go down without a fight.