MP High Court Rules Bhojshala Complex Was Originally Hindu Temple
The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar was originally an 11th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Relying on Archaeological Survey of India evidence, the court granted administrative control to the central government and suggested alternative land for a mosque. The verdict has intensified religious tensions, with Muslim leaders planning to appeal to the Supreme Court while Hindu litigants file caveats. This decision sparks national debate on similar heritage disputes, potentially setting a legal precedent for other contested sites across India.
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Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Hindu Temple, Rejecting Muslim Claims
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the 11th-century Bhojshala complex in Dhar, central India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, rejecting Muslim claims that it is also a mosque. The complex houses both a temple and the Kamal Maula Mosque, associated with a Sufi saint. The court struck down a 2003 ASI order allowing shared use by both communities, citing a scientific study showing the original structure was built by King Bhoj. The ruling follows the precedent set by the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya Ram temple. The Muslim community, which has prayed at the mosque for nearly 700 years, has challenged the decision. Analysts note the ruling flouts the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which freezes the status of religious sites as of 1947, and reflects the Hindu majoritarian agenda of the ruling BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The DiplomatMadhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Hindu Temple, Rejecting Muslim Claims
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the 11th-century Bhojshala complex in Dhar, central India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi), rejecting Muslim claims that it is also a mosque. The court struck down a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India order allowing shared use—Muslims praying on Fridays and Hindus on Tuesdays—citing a recent ASI study showing the original structure was built by King Bhoj as a Sanskrit teaching center with a temple. The complex also houses the Kamal Maula Mosque, associated with a Sufi saint, where Muslims have worshipped for nearly 700 years. The ruling follows the precedent set by the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Babri Masjid, which cleared the way for a Ram temple at Ayodhya. Analysts note the decision flouts the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which freezes the religious character of sites as of 1947, and comes amid rising Hindu majoritarian politics under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government. The Muslim community has challenged the ruling.
The DiplomatMadhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Hindu Temple, Rejecting Muslim Claims
The Madhya Pradesh High Court in India has ruled that the 11th-century Bhojshala complex in Dhar is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi), rejecting Muslim claims that it is also a mosque associated with the Sufi saint Kamal-al-din Chishti. The court relied on an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) study showing the original structure was built by King Bhoj and that the mosque incorporated parts of an earlier Hindu temple. The ruling overturns a 2003 ASI order that allowed shared use—Muslims praying on Fridays and Hindus on Tuesdays—and follows the precedent set by the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Babri Masjid, which cleared the way for a Ram temple. The Muslim community, which has worshipped at the site for nearly 700 years, has challenged the decision. Analysts note the ruling flouts the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which freezes the religious character of sites as of 1947, and reflects the Hindu majoritarian agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government.
The DiplomatIndian Court Declares Medieval Mosque in Madhya Pradesh a Hindu Temple
The Madhya Pradesh High Court in India has ruled that the historic Kamal Maula mosque, located within the Bhojshala complex in Dhar, is actually a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Vagdevi. This decision effectively bars Muslims from praying at the site, ending a decades-long arrangement where Hindus visited on Tuesdays and Muslims prayed on Fridays. Following the verdict, Hindu worshippers gathered at the monument, installing idols and celebrating with saffron flags, while heavy police forces were deployed to manage the situation. The court relied on a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted two years prior. In response, the Muslim community, represented by long-time muezzin Mohammad Rafiq, expressed deep distress over the loss of their place of worship and has pledged to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. The ruling is seen as part of a broader trend of Hindutva activists claiming Islamic-era monuments were built atop Hindu temples, a movement emboldened since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. The court suggested Muslims seek alternative land for a new mosque.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraMadhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Site a Temple, Ends Dual Worship
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), effectively ending a 2003 arrangement that permitted both Hindu and Muslim worship at the site. The 242-page order, delivered on May 15, 2026, directs the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to manage preservation and access, while prohibiting Muslim namaz at the location. The court suggested the state government allocate alternative land for a mosque. The decision was based on an ASI survey indicating the structure predates the mosque and incorporates reused temple components from the Parmar dynasty. Following the verdict, Hindu devotees celebrated by offering prayers under heavy security, while Muslim community leaders expressed disappointment and announced intentions to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court. Political reactions were sharp, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi comparing the verdict to the Babri Masjid case and criticizing it as unconstitutional. The Jain community also indicated plans to appeal, maintaining their claim to the site. The court clarified its ruling determined religious character rather than property title.
The QuintDevotees Perform Daily Puja at Bhojshala Following High Court Order
Hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered at the historic Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, to perform daily religious rituals following a significant legal development. The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently recognized the disputed structure as an 11th-century temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati, overturning a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrangement that restricted Hindu worship to Tuesdays. In compliance with the court's mandate, the ASI issued a new directive granting the Hindu community unrestricted access for daily worship throughout the year. Religious ceremonies commenced early Sunday morning with Vedic priests leading prayers and fire offerings. The event marks a pivotal moment in a decades-long legal and spiritual dispute over the site, which was originally built by King Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty. While the ASI retains supervisory control for preservation, the court has advised the state government to consider alternative land allocations for the Muslim community, who previously held Friday prayer rights. Local authorities maintained high security in Dhar to ensure peace during the ceremonies, which organizers hailed as a cultural renaissance for the Sanatan tradition.
NDTV News Search Records Found 1000High Court Verdict Transforms Disputed Dhar Complex into Hindu Site
Following a Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict, the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar has effectively transformed into an exclusive Hindu religious site. The court ruled that the monument's religious character is that of Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), and prohibited Muslims from offering namaz there. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been tasked with preserving the site and regulating access, while the state government is directed to allot alternative land for Muslim prayers. Immediately after the ruling, Hindu devotees began offering prayers and decorating the complex, whereas the Muslim community, which had offered final prayers to over 2,000 attendees the previous day, expressed distress and announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. Hindu activists are now calling for the removal of structures they attribute to Muslim rule and the return of a Saraswati idol from the British Museum. The decision overturns a 2003 arrangement that allowed shared access, marking a significant shift in the long-standing dispute over the medieval monument's identity and usage.
The Indian ExpressASI Removes 'Mosque' from Bhojshala Title, Grants Hindus Year-Round Worship Rights
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued a new directive resolving a 21-year legal dispute over the historic Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. Following a Madhya Pradesh High Court order, the term 'Mosque' has been officially removed from the site's government title, which is now designated solely as 'Bhojshala'. The directive revokes a 2003 order that restricted Hindu worship to Tuesdays, thereby granting devotees unrestricted access for prayer and study throughout the year. Consequently, permission for Friday prayers at the site has ceased. The decision relies on historical literature and a recent scientific survey confirming the site's origin as a Sanskrit educational center and temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati established by King Bhoj. While access is expanded, the complex remains a nationally protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. Local authorities will determine entry timings and supervise activities to ensure the structural integrity and security of the heritage site. Security measures in the Dhar district have been intensified following the announcement, which has been celebrated by Hindu litigants as a significant step in cultural justice.
India Today | Latest StoriesASI Grants Hindus Unrestricted Access to Bhojshala Following High Court Ruling
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has granted Hindus unrestricted access to the Bhojshala monument in Madhya Pradesh for worship and educational purposes, following a recent ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The court declared the site a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and quashed a 2003 ASI order that had restricted Hindu worship to Tuesdays while allowing Muslim Friday prayers. In its new directive, the ASI referred to the 11th-century structure as the "Bhojshala and Sanskrit School established by Raja Bhoj," dropping the previous reference to "Kamal Maula Mosque." This decision marks a significant turning point in the long-standing dispute over the site's religious identity, with Hindu petitioners celebrating the right to worship year-round. Conversely, the Muslim community contends the site is a mosque and has announced plans to appeal the high court's decision in the Supreme Court. To ensure safety amidst the heightened tensions, authorities deployed approximately 1,200 police personnel in the Dhar district, where the situation remains peaceful despite large crowds of devotees visiting the monument.
NDTV News Search Records Found 1000Hindu Groups Perform Puja at Bhojshala as ASI Implements High Court Order
Following a Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict declaring the Bhojshala complex in Dhar a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Hindu groups conducted worship ceremonies at the site on May 16, 2026. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) issued directives to implement the court's order, granting the Hindu community unrestricted access for learning and worship while maintaining the site's protected status under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. Heavy security measures, including over 1,200 police personnel, were deployed to ensure peace during the proceedings. While Hindu organizations celebrated the decision as a historic victory after a centuries-long struggle, Muslim representatives strongly criticized the verdict as one-sided. Abdul Samad, representing the Muslim side, announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court did not explicitly permit daily worship or discontinue Islamic prayers. A caveat has already been filed by Hindu petitioners in the Supreme Court to preempt any stays on the verdict. The situation remains tense but peaceful as both sides prepare for further legal battles.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduASI Grants Hindus Unrestricted Access to Bhojshala Following High Court Ruling
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued orders granting the Hindu community unrestricted access to the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, for worship and educational purposes. This decision follows a recent judgment by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which declared the site a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi) and a historic center for Sanskrit learning. The court also quashed a previous ASI order from April 7, 2003, which had permitted Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the location. Hindu petitioners have celebrated the ruling as a significant victory after a prolonged legal struggle spanning centuries. The ASI official stated that the access is specifically connected to the ancient practice of learning and the worship of Goddess Saraswati, acknowledging the site's dual historical significance as both a place of education and religious devotion. This development marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing dispute over the heritage status and religious usage of the Bhojshala monument.
Economic TimesAIMPLB to Challenge Madhya Pradesh HC Bhojshala Verdict in Supreme Court
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced plans to appeal the Madhya Pradesh High Court's recent verdict regarding the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex to the Supreme Court of India. The High Court had ruled that the site's religious character is that of Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati, effectively ending a long-standing administrative arrangement. AIMPLB spokesperson Q R Ilyas criticized the judgment as being contrary to historical facts, archaeological evidence, and the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) previous stance, which recognized the site's shared religious status. Under a 2003 agreement, Hindus were permitted to pray on Tuesdays while Muslims offered Friday prayers, a practice AIMPLB argues acknowledged dual claims. The board further stated that the verdict violates the spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani supported the challenge, framing the issue as a matter of constitutional justice and religious freedom. The decision marks a significant escalation in the decades-old dispute over the historic site in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.
The Indian ExpressAIMPLB to Challenge MP High Court's Bhojshala Verdict in Supreme Court
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced plans to appeal the Madhya Pradesh High Court's recent verdict on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex to the Supreme Court. The High Court ruled that the site's religious character is that of Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati, effectively ending a long-standing administrative arrangement. AIMPLB spokesperson Q R Ilyas condemned the judgment as contrary to historical facts, archaeological evidence, and the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) previous stance, which recognized the site's shared religious status. Under a 2003 agreement, Hindus prayed on Tuesdays and Muslims on Fridays, a practice AIMPLB argues acknowledged dual claims. The board further stated that the verdict violates the spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani also criticized the ruling, framing it as a threat to constitutional principles and religious freedom. The case highlights ongoing tensions over disputed religious sites in India.
The Indian ExpressKamal Maula Mosque Committee to Challenge Bhojshala Verdict in Supreme Court
The Kamal Maula Mosque Committee, supported by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), plans to challenge the Madhya Pradesh High Court's verdict on the Bhojshala dispute in the Supreme Court. The High Court recently declared the disputed site in Dhar a Saraswati temple and suggested allocating alternative land for the mosque, a decision that has sparked significant unrest among Muslim organizations. The AIMPLB rejected the judgment, arguing it ignored historical evidence, revenue records, and colonial-era documents acknowledging the site's shared religious character. Other groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, expressed deep concern, viewing the verdict as part of a broader trend undermining the Places of Worship Act, 1991. They argue that the decision threatens minority rights, religious freedom, and India's secular fabric by disrupting long-standing worship arrangements. Leaders emphasized that the judiciary must maintain impartiality, warning that recent developments risk eroding public trust in the legal system and communal harmony.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduMP High Court Rules Bhojshala Complex is Hindu Temple, Sparks Legal Debate
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar is historically a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati. The 242-page judgment declares the site a center of Sanskrit learning and places it under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Consequently, the court struck down a 2003 government arrangement that permitted separate prayer times for Hindus and Muslims. The ruling heavily references principles from the 2019 Ayodhya verdict, particularly regarding archaeological evidence and religious character. This decision has triggered significant legal controversy, with senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan criticizing the use of writ jurisdiction for such factual disputes. The Muslim committee plans to appeal to the Supreme Court within 90 days. Additionally, the court directed the central government to consider representations for the return of a Saraswati idol currently housed in the British Museum, which petitioners claim was originally worshipped at the site. The verdict raises broader constitutional questions about the Places of Worship Act and the applicability of the Ayodhya precedent to other disputed religious sites.
India Today | Latest StoriesGround Report Reveals Hindu Symbols at Bhojshala Following High Court Ruling
Following a Madhya Pradesh High Court decision describing the Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a Hindu temple, Aaj Tak conducted a ground report inside the premises. The investigation revealed numerous Sanatan symbols, including carvings of Lord Ganesha, bells, and Riddhi-Siddhi on 104 ancient pillars, which align with traditional temple architecture. Inscriptions such as 'Om Namah Shivay' and 'Om Saraswati Namah' were visible on the banquet hall walls, alongside lotus motifs on the roof, holding significant religious value in Hinduism. These findings support the Hindu community's long-standing claim that the site was originally a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Maa Vagdevi). The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had previously noted these symbols, which resurfaced after lime layers were removed during conservation. The site remains a subject of intense dispute, with Muslim parties claiming it as the Kamal Maula Masjid. The recent court verdict has reignited political and religious debates, prompting authorities to increase security measures and monitor the situation closely to prevent unrest.
India Today | Latest StoriesMadhya Pradesh High Court Rules Bhojshala Complex Was Originally a Temple
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district was originally a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi). The judgment, delivered on May 15, 2026, relied on historical literature and architectural evidence linking the site to Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty and its function as a center for Sanskrit learning. The court set aside a 2003 administrative order that had allowed Hindus to worship on Tuesdays and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays, noting that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report confirmed the existing structure incorporated parts of earlier temples. While the Muslim side cited a 1935 order recognizing the site as a mosque, the court deemed it invalid as the monument was already protected under the 1904 Ancient Monuments Preservation Act. The bench clarified that this verdict determines the religious character of the site based on historical evidence, not the legal title of the property. The ASI will continue to manage the protected monument, while the Union government is directed to decide on the administration of the Sanskrit learning center.
The Indian ExpressMadhya Pradesh High Court Rules Bhojshala is a Temple, Grants Hindu Worship Rights
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, granting the Hindu community exclusive daily worship rights. The court quashed a previous order by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that had permitted Muslims to offer namaz (prayers) at the 11th-century site on Tuesdays. This landmark judgment resolves a long-standing religious dispute over the historical monument's status. While affirming the site's identity as a Hindu temple, the court suggested that an alternative plot of land could be offered to the Muslim community for prayer purposes. The decision overturns the administrative arrangement managed by the ASI, which had previously balanced access for both communities. The ruling highlights the judicial intervention in sensitive heritage and religious conflicts in India, prioritizing archaeological and historical evidence to determine the primary character of the structure. This development is expected to have significant social and political implications in the region, potentially influencing similar disputes elsewhere.
Times of IndiaMP High Court Declares Bhojshala a Temple, Quashes Friday Prayer Order
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The court quashed a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that permitted Friday namaz at the site, directing the central government and ASI to determine the complex's administration. The judgment relied on a 2024 ASI scientific survey, which indicated that the current structure incorporates components from an earlier temple associated with King Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty. While recognizing the site's religious character as a Hindu temple, the court suggested that mosque representatives could apply to the state government for separate land to construct a new mosque. Hindu petitioners celebrated the verdict as a victory after a long struggle, while mosque representatives criticized the ASI report as biased and announced plans to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court. A caveat has already been filed by a temple petitioner to ensure they are heard during any such appeal. This ruling significantly alters the status of the historically contested site in central India.
Economic TimesMP High Court Recognizes Bhojshala as Hindu Temple, Sparking Debate on Kashi and Mathura Cases
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has delivered a historic verdict recognizing the Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, based on substantial evidence from an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey. The court overturned a previous ban on Hindu worship at the site and suggested that the Muslim party could request separate land for a mosque if desired. This decision, drawing parallels to the Ayodhya verdict, emphasizes judicial reliance on historical evidence rather than faith. The ruling has ignited a national debate regarding similar temple-mosque disputes in Kashi and Mathura, with questions arising about the potential impact on nearly 300 other contested sites across India. The Muslim party has announced plans to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court. The case highlights ongoing religious sensitivities, referencing historical destruction by Alauddin Khilji and subsequent mosque construction on the temple site. With ten such cases currently pending in Indian courts, including six in Uttar Pradesh, this judgment is seen as a potential precedent for future legal outcomes in religious property disputes.
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