Bhojshala Shrine Case: The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday ruled that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The court further stated that the Muslim community may approach the state government to seek allocation of separate land within the district for constructing a mosque.
In its verdict in the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex dispute, the court also observed that there were indications of a Sanskrit teaching centre and a temple of Goddess Saraswati in Bhojshala. However, the Muslim side argued in court that the ASI's survey report was "biased" and prepared to support the claims of the Hindu petitioners.
The case concerns the religious identity of an Archaeological Survey of India-protected monument in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district.
The Hindu side maintains that Bhojshala is a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side identifies it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. A petitioner from the Jain community has also claimed that the structure was originally a medieval Jain temple and gurukul.
After the controversy over the Bhojshala complex erupted, the ASI issued an order on April 7, 2003, permitting Hindus to worship at the complex every Tuesday and Muslims to offer namaz there every Friday. The Hindu side challenged the order in the High Court, seeking exclusive rights to worship at the complex.
Key Takeaways From the Court’s Verdict
1. ‘Centre Of Sanskrit Learning Associated With Raja Bhoj’
The court noted a “constitutional duty to provide basic amenities to pilgrims" along with ensuring “preservation of purity and preservation of the character of the deity".
It further observed that Hindu worship at the site “has never been extinguished" and recorded findings that historical records describe the area as Bhojshala, a centre of Sanskrit learning associated with Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty.
2. ‘Religious Character Is Temple Of Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati’
The bench held that the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is a protected monument and stated that its religious character is that of a Bhojshala temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati.
ALSO READ: Bhojshala Shrine Case: What Is The Temple-Mosque Dispute And What Went In Favour Of Hindu Side? Explained
3. ‘Hindus To Worship In Bhojshala, No Namaz’
The court struck down parts of the 2003 ASI order that had restricted Hindu worship while allowing Muslims to offer namaz at the site.
4. ‘ASI Will Continue Overall Administration Of Property’
The High Court directed the Centre and the ASI to decide on the future administration and management of the site, including its associated Sanskrit learning activities. It also made clear that the ASI will continue to supervise the preservation and conservation of the monument.
ALSO READ: Bhojshala Verdict: Disputed Site Declared As Saraswati Temple, Separate Land To Be Allotted To Mosque Committee
5. ‘Can Bring Back Goddess Saraswati Idol’
On the request to bring back the idol of Goddess Saraswati from a London museum, the court noted that several petitioners have already been made and said the Centre “may consider the representations to bring back the idol".
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