The simmering Bhojshala controversy in Madhya Pradesh heads to court again, with the Indore bench of the state high court set to deliberate on the ASI’s detailed survey report this coming Monday. This hearing could prove decisive in unraveling the historical identity of the Dhar site caught in a Hindu-Muslim tug-of-war.
Protected by the ASI, the complex is claimed as Saraswati Mata temple by Hindus and Kamal Maula Mosque by Muslims. Responding to judicial orders, ASI conducted an exhaustive 98-day survey employing cutting-edge, non-invasive methods to map the site’s architecture and history.
The sealed report, now unsealed for parties per Supreme Court instructions, has sparked immediate reactions. Muslim litigants have lodged formal objections to several critical findings, circulated among all sides. Monday’s session will focus on these challenges, allowing each party to present their case.
The court’s agenda also includes related applications, such as pleas from three Muslim groups to intervene. Key petitions include Hindu Front for Justice’s call for recognizing the site’s temple status and a separate filing from Kamal Maula Welfare Society.
Under existing arrangements, Tuesday puja for Hindus and Friday namaz for Muslims continue uninterrupted. The survey aims to provide empirical evidence for deciding worship rights and conservation strategies.
With tensions high, Dhar administration has deployed robust security. The verdict here may set precedents for similar disputes nationwide, offering clarity on this revered yet disputed landmark that has fueled debates for years.