- AI-generated fake videos caused Ujjain clashes over mosque demolition.
- Partial mosque removal for road widening was misrepresented online.
- Police registered FIRs and arrested 15 for spreading misinformation.
Ujjain Masjid Clash: A crowd mobilised and clashed with police in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, after AI-generated videos falsely depicted the total demolition of the Shahi Masjid, officials said on Monday. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The unrest followed the partial removal of the historic mosque to accommodate a road-widening project ahead of the 2028 Simhastha. As the investigation intensifies, the police have identified some of the users who allegedly uploaded the provocative content on social media.
People were misguided by the videos
According to the police officials, some youths associated with the Shahi Masjid were misguided after seeing fabricated videos on social media. The AI-generated videos allegedly showed the demolition of the entire mosque, Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma said. The cop explained that the social media content angered the people, and a crowd mobilised around the religious site, The Indian Express reported.
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The police official then explained that local authorities decided to remove a portion of the mosque following a road-widening project. The demolition was carried out by members of the community itself after negotiations were reached.
FIR Registered
According to police officials, Imran Khan posted an Instagram message urging people to gather at Chhatri Chowk. In a separate video, Arif Pathan allegedly called for a gathering near a mosque at 2 am. Police are investigating the role of these messages and videos and have registered FIRs under Sections 196(1), 299, 353(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) for allegedly spreading misleading and inflammatory content online. Several individuals who shared the posts have also been identified.
Social media accounts that first posted the material and people who shared the content are also being investigated. The police investigation has so far led to 15 arrests, while more than 100 Instagram accounts have been reported. An FIR has also been registered following a complaint by Ujjain City Qazi Khalil Qureshi Rehman, The Indian Express reported.
What’s The Row
The dispute erupted after a portion of the Shahi Masjid that lies along a road proposed for widening as part of preparations for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
On September 9,MP High Court had cleared the way for the partial removal. On Monday, the Indore bench was informed that the Muslim side had reached an agreement with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, following which two related writ appeals were disposed of.
The court also directed that assurances given by the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, along with its interim notice concerning the mosque, would remain binding on the civic body.
Work To Continue On Tuesday
The mosque committee stated the removal process will continue from Tuesday morning and will continue for seven to eight days. Members of the Muslim community were seen removing the affected structures on Monday after the situation eased.
Police claimed the situation in Ujjain remained peaceful, with flag marches being conducted across the city and surveillance stepped up to prevent the spread of rumours and provocative content.