Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque a Hindu Temple

The Madhya Pradesh High Court delivered a significant ruling on Friday regarding the contentious Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex located in Dhar district, stating that it is a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Saraswati. This decision, made by a bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi, overturned a 2003 order from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that had allowed for shared religious practices between Hindus and Muslims at the site.

The earlier ASI order stipulated that Hindus could conduct prayers on Tuesdays, while Muslims were permitted to offer their namaz on Fridays. However, the High Court has rescinded this arrangement and now allows the Muslim community to seek alternative land within the Dhar district for the construction of a new mosque. The judges indicated that the state government should consider any such requests in accordance with the law, providing a potential pathway for the Muslim community.

In their ruling, the bench referenced historical texts and archaeological findings that substantiate the site’s long-standing association with the worship of Saraswati. They noted that the location had been a hub for Sanskrit learning, reinforcing the significance of the temple in the cultural and religious landscape of the region. This declaration emphasizes the site’s historical and cultural importance to Hindus and marks a pivotal moment in a dispute that has drawn attention for decades.

Furthermore, the court has directed both the Union government and the ASI to take charge of the administration and management of the complex. It was specified that the ASI will maintain full supervisory control over the preservation and regulation of the site’s religious practices, ensuring that it is managed appropriately moving forward. This ruling also aligns with previous calls for a detailed survey of the location, which had been initiated following a plea from a group named the Hindu Front for Justice.

The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for communal relations in the region, as the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex has been a site of contention between Hindu and Muslim communities for many years. As discussions continue about the future use and management of the site, this decision could set a precedent for similar disputes across India, reflecting the ongoing complexities of historical and religious narratives in the country.

Source: scroll.in