Are Muslims building mosque in Ujjain? Committee warns public of fraudsters who are sharing barcodes to collect donations
Fraudsters are circulating QR codes on social media and approaching residents door to door, claiming they are collecting donations to rebuild a portion of a mosque affected by road widening in Ujjain. The mosque committee has denied seeking donations and urged people to verify any fundraising request before making payments.
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A suspected donation fraud has surfaced in Ujjain following the dispute over the Shahi Mosque, a portion of which is being removed as part of a road-widening project.
According to the mosque committee, people are circulating barcodes and QR codes on social media while claiming that money is being collected to rebuild the affected portion of the mosque. Some people have also been visiting homes and asking residents for cash.
Image : Telangana Today
After receiving information about the fundraising campaign, the mosque committee released a video warning people against making payments through the circulated barcodes.
Sadar Abdul Mannan said the barcodes being shared on social media were not issued by the mosque committee.
‘Committee has not asked for a single rupee’
Mannan appealed to people not to send money through the QR codes without verifying their authenticity.
He said the committee had not collected even a single rupee from anyone for the mosque so far. Anyone wishing to provide financial assistance should first contact the mosque committee or the imam and confirm the details, he said.
The committee also warned that some people could be attempting to exploit the situation for financial gain.
Mannan urged residents to verify fundraising appeals before transferring money so that any contribution, if required, reaches the intended organisation.
Road widening triggered dispute
The Shahi Mosque is located at Chhatri Chowk on the road between Kanthal Square and Gopal Temple. The road is being widened ahead of the Simhastha preparations.
The existing road is around 12 metres wide and is planned to be widened to 15 metres. A portion of the mosque falls within the area affected by the road-widening project.
The Ujjain Municipal Corporation had issued notices in August, followed by a final order on September 1. The mosque management challenged the action before the High Court, but the petitions were dismissed.
On the night of September 27, a large police force was deployed around the mosque. A flag march was also conducted in the city. Around midnight, a large number of people gathered near the mosque but returned home after being advised by authorities.
The following morning, September 28, people gathered again and stone-pelting was reported. Police used tear gas and took steps to control the situation.
Following the incident, members of the mosque committee and the Muslim community began removing the portion of the structure that falls within the road-widening area.
34 named in eight FIRs
Police have registered eight FIRs in connection with the September 28 violence and named 34 people as accused. According to the report, 24 people have been arrested so far.
Police are examining CCTV footage and monitoring social media platforms as part of the investigation. The probe includes allegations of stone-pelting, circulation of provocative messages and participation in the violence.
Authorities have also taken steps to block more than 100 pieces of viral content. Police are obtaining criminal records of accused persons from other districts and may seek cancellation of bail in other cases if their involvement in additional offences is established.
Around 40 people working to remove affected portion
Around 40 members of the Muslim community are currently working in two shifts to remove the portion of the Shahi Mosque affected by the road-widening project.
Around 50 per cent of the affected structure has reportedly been removed so far. Officials and members involved in the work expect that it could take several more days to complete the process.