The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has delivered a landmark verdict, declaring the Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a Hindu temple belonging to King Bhoj. This ruling grants exclusive rights to the Hindu community for worship at the site, rejecting petitions from the Muslim and Jain communities. The court has overturned a previous order by the Archaeological Survey of India, allowing only Hindu religious activities at the complex.
In response to the Muslim community, the court has suggested the government consider providing alternative land for a mosque. While the ASI will retain control over the Bhojshala’s management, the Hindu side will have the authority to conduct religious rituals. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu group, highlighted the court’s emphasis on historical and architectural evidence from a recent survey report.
Additionally, the court has urged the government to initiate efforts to bring back an ancient idol of Goddess Saraswati from the British Museum. This idol, originally installed by King Bhoj between 1010 and 1055 AD, symbolizes the site’s historical significance as a center of learning. With heightened security measures in place, including 1,200 police personnel in Dhar town, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure peace and stability during this transition.
