The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has initiated continuous and regular hearings on the longstanding Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute in Dhar district. Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi presided over a nearly two-hour hearing where Senior Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing Hindu petitioners, presented detailed arguments. The Hindu side contended that the disputed complex is primarily a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and not a mosque.
Advocate Jain highlighted that Bhojshala, established by King Bhoj in the 10th-11th century, served as a center for Sanskrit learning and education, deeply rooted in ancient Indian architectural and educational customs. Referring to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report, the petitioners emphasized intricate carvings and sculptures on the pillars, indicating the site’s Hindu religious origins. They also mentioned a 1935 board displaying historical facts about Bhojshala, leading to escalated disputes.
The lawyers argued that there is no historical proof of a mosque at the location, noting that even members of the Muslim community previously referred to it as King Bhoj’s Madrasa (school). The Hindu representatives requested the repatriation and reinstallation of the Goddess Saraswati statue, currently housed in a London museum. They also sought unrestricted rights for daily Hindu worship and a ban on offering Namaz at the complex. The Bench assured all parties and intervenors of a fair chance to present their evidence in subsequent hearings, with the next session scheduled for April 7, 2026.
