Ujjain Hanuman Idol Row: Administration Denies Removal Attempt

A Hanuman idol located in the middle of a road near Sati Gate in Ujjain has become the centre of growing public attention after attempts linked to road widening triggered controversy. The idol has remained at the site for nearly a week, while the administration says no attempt has actually been made to relocate it.

The issue has attracted devotees from Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states, with videos and reels of the idol circulating widely on social media. The controversy has also drawn reactions from former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti, religious figures and opposition leaders.

Road Widening Brings Idol Into Focus

The controversy began after civic authorities started work around the temple on September 4 in connection with road-widening plans.

Most of the surrounding structure has reportedly been removed, while the Hanuman idol remains at the site under a temporary tent. The unusual location of the standing idol has since become a major attraction for visitors.

With videos of the site spreading online, devotees have increasingly started including the temple in their Ujjain visits.

Administration Denies Removal Attempt

The Ujjain district administration issued a statement amid reports that repeated attempts had been made to remove the idol.

According to the administration, the matter concerns the religious sentiments of Ujjain residents and devotees. It said the safety of the idol, public sentiment and the city's religious and cultural heritage remain priorities.

The administration also described reports claiming that several attempts had already been made to relocate the idol as misleading. It maintained that no mechanical or manual attempt has so far been made to remove or shift the idol.

Temple Side Cites Earlier Work

Temple priest Mahesh Bairagi presented a different account of the developments.

According to him, the temple side had initially given conditional consent for the idol to be shifted safely. Civic workers subsequently removed debris and plaster around the structure, but the process was stopped over concerns about possible damage.

Experts from Indore were later called to assess the structure. The priest said specialists suggested further examination using modern equipment and scanning techniques before any decision on relocation.

IIT Indore Team Conducts Inspection

The controversy has also led to technical examination of the site.

A team from IIT Indore visited the temple earlier in the week and inspected the structure. The team reportedly returned on Thursday for another assessment.

The technical evaluation is significant because any decision concerning the idol would need to consider the structure's stability and the feasibility of moving it without causing damage.

New Land Offered for Temple

Ujjain Municipal Corporation has already offered an alternative site for reconstruction of the temple.

In a letter dated September 2, the civic body informed the temple priests that 20.90 square metres of land in Ward 20 had been made available for the temple's relocation. The land had been cleared after the removal of a water tank, according to the letter cited in the report.

However, the question of whether the existing idol should actually be moved remains at the centre of the dispute.

Uma Bharti Seeks Alternative Road Plan

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti has written to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, urging authorities to consider changing the road plan instead of relocating the Hanuman idol.

Bharti cited the example of road widening near Bhopal's Kamalapati area, arguing that development projects can be planned in ways that protect religious structures.

Her intervention has added a political dimension to an issue that has primarily revolved around road development, religious sentiment and the safety of the idol.

Devotee Rush Grows Amid Social Media Buzz

The controversy has triggered a noticeable increase in visitors. Devotees from Delhi, Nagpur, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and other places have reportedly arrived to see the standing Hanuman idol.

Religious leaders have also visited the temple and called for an alternative solution that allows road development without disturbing the idol.

Sadhvi Harshanand Giri, also known as Harsha Richariya, visited the temple and opposed the relocation efforts. She demanded that the administration visit the temple, offer prayers and commit to rebuilding the shrine. She also warned of a protest and fast if her demands were not addressed.

Congress leaders and workers have also visited the site and participated in Hanuman Chalisa recitations.

The growing crowds and competing claims have made the issue increasingly sensitive. For now, the technical assessment and the administration's next decision are likely to determine whether the road project can proceed without shifting the idol or whether another solution will be required.