Muslim Side Questions ASI's Temple Claims, Alleges Bias in Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Case

The Muslim side in a long-standing dispute over the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex challenged the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) findings in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Muslim side argues there's no concrete evidence that a temple existed at the site before the mosque. The Hindu side claims the structure was originally a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim side maintains it's the Kamal Maula Mosque. The site is protected by the ASI.

Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid, representing the Muslim side, argued that petitions by Hindu groups didn't specifically seek ownership or title of the site. He questioned the ASI's report, inscriptions, and historical material, stating they didn't provide direct evidence of a temple's demolition. He accused the ASI of bias, alleging the report repeatedly referred to the site as a 'Bhojshala Temple' without conclusive evidence. Khurshid also raised concerns about the excavation process, questioning the authenticity of some recovered artifacts and the lack of comprehensive video footage.

Khurshid argued that inscriptions mentioning 'Saraswati Sadan' and centers of learning didn't necessarily prove a temple's existence. He suggested these could indicate an educational or cultural institution. He also questioned why scientific tests like carbon dating weren't properly conducted despite court directions. The hearing will continue on Tuesday. The ASI's 2024 report concluded that the present structure contains remains of earlier temple architecture dating back to the Parmar period.