Simhastha 2028 Preparations: Bohra community agrees to remove part of 200-year-old Husami Mosque in Ujjain
A portion of the nearly 200-year-old Husami Mosque in Ujjain is being removed as part of a road-widening project ahead of Simhastha 2028. The Bohra community has agreed to the removal, with members of the community themselves taking part in dismantling the section that falls within the road-widening alignment.
Total Views |
A portion of the nearly 200-year-old Husami Mosque in Ujjain is being removed as part of road-widening work being carried out ahead of Simhastha 2028.
The mosque is located opposite the Gopal Temple in the Chhatri Chowk area. The Ujjain Municipal Corporation has started removing the section of the mosque that falls within the proposed road alignment, with the consent of the mosque management and members of the Bohra community.
Husami Mosque in Ujjain, (Image: News18)
Municipal Corporation Building Officer Rajkumar Rathore said the mosque was identified as coming in the way of the road-widening work between Kanthal and Gopal Temple.
According to Rathore, the mosque management had earlier been served a notice regarding the portion affected by the project. The removal is now being carried out after the management and community members agreed to cooperate with the road-widening work.
Bohra community members take part in removal
Bohra community representative Abbas Siyawala said the mosque is around 200 years old and that the community had agreed to remove the portion coming in the way of the road.
Siyawala said the decision was taken in line with the instructions of their religious leader, Syedna Sahib, to cooperate with government decisions taken in the interest of development.
Members of the community themselves came forward to remove the designated portion of the structure. They were seen using hammers and other tools to dismantle the affected section.
The exact size of the portion being removed has been described slightly differently by officials and community representatives. The municipal corporation has put it at around 8 to 8.5 feet, while community representatives have referred to a section of around 4 to 4.5 feet.
Two mosques affected by road-widening plan
The Husami Mosque is reportedly one of two mosques falling within the road-widening alignment in the area.
The municipal corporation is currently carrying out work on the section of the Husami Mosque. Shops located in front of the mosque are also expected to be affected as the road-widening work progresses.
Further action concerning the other mosque is expected as the project moves ahead.
Road work linked to Simhastha 2028
The road-widening project is part of preparations for Simhastha 2028, one of the major religious gatherings held in Ujjain.
The city is expected to receive a large number of pilgrims and visitors during the festival. Widening important roads and improving infrastructure is therefore being taken up ahead of the event.
The removal of a portion of the historic Husami Mosque has drawn attention because the work is being carried out with the cooperation of the Bohra community.
Rather than the section being removed through a confrontation or forced eviction, members of the community have themselves participated in dismantling the portion identified as coming in the way of the road-widening project.