Madhya Pradesh High Court declares Bhojshala in Dhar a Hindu temple
Court says findings emerging from archaeological studies can be relied on to resolve dispute, and constitutional rights of all parties were taken into account
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday (May 15) declared that Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district is a Hindu temple.
In a landmark, the Indore bench of the High Court said the long-disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is a temple premise, and upheld the right of Hindus to worship at the site. Archaeology being a science, the findings emerging from scientific studies could be relied upon while resolving the dispute, the court added.
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It further said the constitutional rights of all parties had been taken into account before arriving at its conclusions.
Heavy security
Nearly 1,200 police personnel were deployed in and around the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex today ahead of the ruling. The 11th-century monument has been claimed by Hindus and Muslims in a long-drawn-out dispute.
While the Hindu and Muslim communities currently share the site under a 2003 notification, a group from the Jain community has also staked a claim to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected site.
Dhar Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena has warned of strict action against anyone spreading objectionable content on social media, as the administration erected barricades at the disputed site where Friday prayers coincide with the court verdict later in the afternoon.
Three-cornered fight
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side identifies the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque, and a petitioner from the Jain community claims the complex is a medieval Jain temple and gurukul.
Also read | Supreme Court allows Hindu and Muslim prayers at Bhojshala complex
Under the 2003 ASI arrangement, Hindus and Muslims continue to pray on Tuesdays and Fridays respectively. The Hindu side challenged the order in the High Court, seeking exclusive rights to worship at the complex.
The HC had ordered the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex on March 11, 2024. The ASI began the survey on March 22 that year and, after a detailed 98-day survey, submitted its report to the court.
Members of the Muslim community offer namaz at the complex between 1 pm and 3 pm on Fridays. The administration erected barricades at the site and issued a social media advisory.
With agency inputs