Bhojshala Dispute: MP High Court Declares Dhar Complex a Saraswati Temple, Scraps ASI Order Allowing Friday Namaz
The Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the Bhojshala complex in Dhar a Saraswati temple and scrapped the 2003 ASI order allowing Friday namaz at the premises.
In a major ruling in the long-running Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore bench declared that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Saraswati. The court also scrapped the 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that allowed Muslims to offer Friday namaz on the premises. The High Court stated that the Centre and ASI can decide on the administration and management of the complex.
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MP High Court Rules Bhojshala is Saraswati Temple
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that there were indications of a Sanskrit teaching centre and a temple of Saraswati existing at Bhojshala.
The court noted that the religious character of the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex indicates that it is a temple dedicated to Saraswati.
The division bench further stated that if the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society applies for land allotment to build a mosque in Dhar district, the state government can consider the request.
ASI Order Allowing Friday Namaz Cancelled
The High Court scrapped the Archaeological Survey of India’s April 7, 2003 order that permitted Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the Bhojshala premises.
The 2003 ASI order had allowed Hindus to worship at the complex every Tuesday and Muslims to offer namaz every Friday.
The Hindu side challenged the order in the High Court and sought exclusive worship rights at the complex.
Security Tightened Ahead of Verdict
Ahead of the High Court ruling, nearly 1,200 police personnel were deployed in and around the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district.
Dhar Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena warned of strict action against anyone spreading objectionable content on social media.
Barricades were erected at the disputed site as Friday prayers coincided with the court verdict.
Hindu, Muslim and Jain Communities Presented Claims
The long-standing dispute revolves around the religious nature of the ASI-protected monument in Dhar district.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi, also known as Saraswati.
The Muslim side calls the monument Kamal Maula Mosque.
A petitioner from the Jain community claimed the disputed complex is a medieval Jain temple and gurukul.
During hearings, petitioners from Hindu, Muslim, and Jain communities presented detailed arguments seeking exclusive worship rights for their respective communities.
High Court Heard Multiple Petitions
A division bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the High Court’s Indore bench began regular hearings on five petitions and one writ appeal related to the dispute on April 6 this year.
After hearing all parties and examining differing religious beliefs, historical claims, complex legal provisions, and thousands of documents related to the disputed monument, the bench reserved its verdict on May 12.
ASI Survey Findings and Muslim Side Objections
The ASI conducted a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex following the High Court’s March 11, 2024, order.
The survey began on March 22, 2024, and after a detailed 98-day survey, the ASI submitted its report to the High Court on July 15.
According to the ASI’s over 2,000-page report, a massive structure dating back to the reign of the Parmar kings of Dhar existed before the mosque, and the current disputed structure was built using repurposed temple components.
The Hindu side claimed that coins, sculptures, and inscriptions found during the ASI survey proved the complex was originally a temple.
However, the Muslim side argued in court that the ASI survey report was “biased” and prepared to support the claims of Hindu petitioners.
Rejecting the allegation, the ASI informed the court that the scientific survey process was conducted with the assistance of experts, including three members from the Muslim community.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore bench ruled that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Saraswati and cancelled the 2003 ASI order allowing Friday namaz at the premises. The court stated that the Centre and ASI can decide on the administration and management of the complex. The verdict came after hearings on multiple petitions, ASI survey findings, and arguments presented by Hindu, Muslim, and Jain parties in the long-running Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute.
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