Ujjain was tense over the altercation that took place near the Shahi Masjid as some roads were to be widened by demolishing part of the structure. Officials have said that the police are now investigating the AI-generated videos and Facebook postings that incorrectly claimed the entire mosque was being demolished. Five content creators are among the 20 booked in three police stations in the FIRs.
What happened in Ujjain?
The fights broke out on September 28 after a mob gathered in the vicinity of the Shahi Masjid to protest against the move to raze the structures. The police said they resorted to tear gas and “mild force” after some stones were pelted. The row relates to the road-widening work being carried out as part of the plans for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh. It has been reported that only part of the mosque is positioned in the new road alignment.
AI videos come under scrutiny
Videos produced using AI that were being shared on social media were the center of the police probe, authorities said. One of the videos falsely depicted the demolition of the complete Shahi Masjid, while the matter was of a part of the mosque. Police said the posts led to a group of hundreds gathering around the mosque. The content was being investigated on more than 100 Instagram accounts, police said.
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FIRs registered
The police have filed 8 FIRs against 20 individuals in three police stations. Among the FIRs, there are five content creators for sharing AI-generated videos and other inflammatory social media posts. Investigators are also analyzing online activity, and authorities have called for people not to disseminate rumors.
Road widening behind the dispute
The Shahi Masjid matter is related to the Ujjain Road Widening scheme. The scheme is about easing the traffic movement before the Simhasatha Kumbh in 2028. Earlier, a settlement between the mosque side and the Ujjain Municipal Corporation had permitted the removal of the affected part to be carried out voluntarily. Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of the appeals in this matter after noting the settlement and the commitments made by the civic body.
Police appeal over online rumours
After the violence, police stepped up their watch on social media posts associated with the incident. Officials asked people to double-check facts before posting content or video that could escalate the situation. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities are analysing the accounts and content related to the riot.
What happens next?
In the police probe, the investigation is likely to center on the source and spread of these videos, the social media pages used and the people mentioned in the FIRs. At the same time, work on dismantling that section of the mosque has begun again after the settlement.
