Our Bureau
Bhopal
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday declared the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, ending a long-running legal fight over the religious character of the site. The court also said the Muslim community may approach the state government for separate land in the district to build a mosque.
The division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi said the religious character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is that of a temple. The court held that the disputed structure is a protected monument, but with the religious nature of a Saraswati temple.
The case has been at the centre of tension for years because both communities have claimed the site. Hindus have described it as Bhojshala, while Muslims have identified the 11th-century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The court’s order is expected to have a major impact on the management of the site and on future access arrangements there.
The High Court also said the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India can decide on the administration and management of the complex. In a separate observation, it suggested that the Muslim community may seek alternative land from the state government for mosque construction in Dhar district.
The verdict marks a significant legal development in one of Madhya Pradesh’s most sensitive heritage disputes.
