AI-generated mosque videos fuelled Ujjain clashes, police say
Police in Ujjain said false AI-generated videos showing the full demolition of the Shahi Masjid helped mobilise a crowd that later threw stones at security personnel. Authorities registered eight FIRs against 20 people, detained 15 and said the dispute actually concerned only a portion of the mosque affected by road widening.
Police in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, said AI-generated videos falsely showing the demolition of the Shahi Masjid helped fuel clashes during protests over a road-widening project. The videos allegedly depicted the entire mosque being demolished, while the actual dispute concerned only the portion within the alignment of a road being widened ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh. Eight first information reports were registered against 20 people across three police stations.
Five content creators were among those named for allegedly circulating AI-generated videos and other provocative posts. Police said 15 people had been detained, while some others had been arrested. The confrontation occurred after thousands gathered near the mosque.
Protesters threw stones at security personnel, who used tear gas and mild force. About 2,500 personnel, including Rapid Action Force units, had been deployed. Officials said the road from Kanthal crossing to Gopal Mandir was being widened to 15 metres.
The project is expected to affect 272 structures, including religious sites. Muslim representatives said the community had agreed to remove the affected section, although discussions continued over its exact size. The Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of two appeals after the Muslim side informed it that a settlement had been reached with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.
Police said the city was peaceful on Monday and that removal work would continue from Tuesday.
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