MAJOR ACCIDENT DURING MINARET REMOVAL AT UJJAIN’S 600-YEAR-OLD SHAHI JAMA MASJID

Thu 01 October 2026:

During the operation to dismantle a minaret at Ujjain’s Shahi Jama Masjid, a serious accident occurred unexpectedly. The belt of the machine being used broke while the minaret was being taken down, leading to the collapse of a portion of the structure and causing damage to the roof of the mosque’s two-story building.

Local authorities ordered the partial demolition of this 600-year-old historic mosque to widen a road for the upcoming 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela (a major Hindu pilgrimage).

On September 28, 2026, despite the committee’s agreement, heavy tensions erupted on the ground. Clashes broke out between local protestors and security forces, involving stone-pelting and the police firing tear gas shells.

Following discussions, the mosque management and civic officials agreed to a reduced removal of about three feet of the outer structure of historic 600-year-old Shahi Masjid in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

As of late September 2026, heavy security forces (including the Rapid Action Force) remain deployed, the immediate area has been sealed, and mosque members have continued the voluntary removal of the designated section to prevent further unilateral municipal bulldozer action.

India’s ‘Bulldozer Justice’

The term “bulldozer justice” or “bulldozer action” refers to a highly controversial practice in India where state authorities use heavy machinery to demolish properties, including homes, businesses, and Islamic religious sites.

There is no official, consolidated government tally of the exact number of mosques demolished in India since 2014. Human rights groups and independent media outlets estimate that over 2,100 Muslim religious structures—including mosques, madrasas, shrines (dargahs), and graveyards—have been demolished or partially destroyed across the country during this period.

Major Accident During Minaret Removal at Ujjain’s 600-Year-Old Shahi Jama Masjid

During the operation to dismantle a minaret at Ujjain’s Shahi Jama Masjid, a serious accident occurred unexpectedly. The belt of the machine being used broke while the minaret was being taken down,… pic.twitter.com/BYFqicFHW1

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) October 1, 2026

Medina Mosque, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi (September 2026): Under the cover of night, municipal authorities deployed bulldozers to pull down the Medina Mosque. Local residents alleged the demolition began without any prior notice or legal court order, raising severe safety concerns as people were still inside when the machinery arrived.

Noori Jama Masjid, Uttar Pradesh (Late 2024/2025): Portions of this 185-year-old mosque were bulldozed under the pretext of public roadwork. The action proceeded under a heavy police presence despite active attempts by the mosque committee to seek legal intervention.

Masjid Gareeb Nawaz Al Maroof, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh (May 2021): Local administration completely bulldozed a century-old mosque built during the British era. The action directly defied an Allahabad High Court stay order, sparking immense outrage when debris was subsequently cleared and thrown into a nearby river.

Government authorities consistently maintain that these demolitions strictly target unauthorized structures built without permits or occupying public property.

Human rights organisations, legal critics, and prominent Muslim bodies argue that these drives selectively target minority places of worship, often bypassing due process, ignoring pending legal challenges, and failing to provide adequate notice before bulldozers arrive.

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Rise of Hindu nationalism and India’s Islamic cultural heritage

The issue of mosque demolitions is deeply intertwined with Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) in India, marking a significant sociopolitical divide. Hindutva, which aims to define Indian culture through Hindu values, often targets historic Islamic sites as centers for political mobilization, legal disputes, and administrative measures.

Apart from longstanding conflicts, Muslim organizations and human rights groups point out a pattern where municipal bodies demolish functioning mosques, madrasas, and shrines, citing reasons such as illegal encroachments or urban development.

Critics, legal experts, and Islamic groups argue that these demolitions circumvent legal procedures, breach the constitutional secularism principle, and systematically erase India’s Islamic cultural heritage. They claim that urban planning is being used as a tool to politically marginalize India’s Muslim population of around 200 million.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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