MP HC Declares Bhojshala a Temple, Suggests Alternative Land for Mosque

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled on May 15 that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The court suggested the Muslim community may request separate land from the state government to build a mosque. The Indore bench canceled a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that had allowed Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the site.

The court noted evidence of a Sanskrit teaching center and a temple of Goddess Saraswati at the complex. It stated the religious character of the site indicates it is a temple. The division bench said the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society could apply for land allotment for a mosque in Dhar district.

About 1,200 police were deployed near the complex before the verdict. The Dhar Collector warned against spreading objectionable content on social media. Barricades were set up as Friday prayers coincided with the court decision.

The long dispute concerns the religious nature of the ASI-protected monument. Hindus consider Bhojshala a temple for Goddess Saraswati. Muslims call it Kamal Maula Mosque. A Jain petitioner claims it is a medieval Jain temple and gurukul.

The ASI conducted a scientific survey starting March 22, 2024, and submitted a 2,000-page report on July 15. The report indicated a massive structure from the Parmar kings' reign predated the mosque. It found the current structure used repurposed temple components.

Hindu petitioners claimed coins, sculptures, and inscriptions proved the complex was originally a temple. The Muslim side argued the ASI report was biased. The ASI responded that experts, including three from the Muslim community, conducted the survey.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed hope the Supreme Court would overturn the High Court order. He noted similarities with the Babri Masjid judgment in a social media post.