'Site of Sanskrit learning': Bhojshala declared temple, court moots different site for mosque

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday ruled that the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex in Dhar is a temple, delivering its verdict in favour of the Hindu petitioners.

A bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi observed that the continuity of Hindu worship at the site “has never been extinguished” and noted that historical records established Bhojshala as a centre of Sanskrit learning linked to Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty.

“We have noted continuity of Hindu worship at the site here has never been extinguished. We record findings that historical literature establishes the character of the disputed area as Bhojshala, a centre of Sanskrit learning associated with Raja Bhoj,” the bench said.

The court also advised the Muslim petitioners to approach the government for separate land for offering prayers.

The Hindu side has long maintained that Bhojshala is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, also known as Vagdevi, and built by scholar-king Raja Bhoj. The Muslim side, however, argued that the site has functioned as the Kamal Maula Mosque for centuries.

The court directed the Archaeological Survey of India to retain full supervisory control over the preservation and conservation of the complex.

On the issue of bringing back the idol of Goddess Saraswati from a museum in London, the bench noted that petitioners had submitted several representations before the government and said authorities may consider those requests.

Under the arrangement put in place by the ASI in 2003, Hindus continue to offer prayers at the site on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays.