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MP HC Grants Hindus Worship Rights at Bhojshala, Calls Verdict Historic

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench delivered a historic verdict in the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, declaring the complex belongs to Raja Bhoj. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain confirmed that Hindus have been granted the right to perform worship rituals at the site. The court set aside the ASI's 2003 order that allowed Namaz, and directed the government to oversee site management. Additionally, the court asked the government to consider repatriating the Goddess Vagdevi idol from a London museum and allotting alternative land to the Muslim side. TAGS: Bhojshala | Madhya Pradesh High Court | Vishnu Shankar Jain | Raja Bhoj | Hindu worship rights | Kamal Maula Mosque | ASI survey | Goddess Vagdevi

Key Points: MP HC Grants Hindus Worship Rights at Bhojshala

  • MP HC declares Bhojshala complex belongs to Raja Bhoj
  • Hindus granted worship rights, ASI 2003 order set aside
  • Court directs government to consider repatriation of Goddess Vagdevi idol
  • Muslim side may approach government for alternative land for mosque SUMMARY: The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench delivered a historic verdict in the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, declaring the complex belongs to Raja Bhoj. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain confirmed that Hindus have been granted the right to perform worship rituals at the site. The court set aside the ASI's 2003 order that allowed Namaz, and directed the government to oversee site management. Additionally, the court asked the government to consider repatriating the Goddess Vagdevi idol from a London museum and allotting alternative land to the Muslim side.
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MP HC granted Hindus worship rights at Bhojshala: Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain

Madhya Pradesh High Court declares Bhojshala complex belongs to Raja Bhoj, grants Hindus worship rights, and sets aside ASI's 2003 order.

"The court has granted us the right to perform worship rituals and has directed the government to oversee the management of the site. - Vishnu Shankar Jain"

Dhar, May 15

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represented the Hindu side in the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, on Friday termed the Madhya Pradesh High Court's verdict "historic" after the Indore bench declared the disputed complex in Dhar as belonging to Raja Bhoj and granted Hindus the right to worship.​

Speaking to the media after the court pronounced its judgment, Jain said, "The Indore High Court has delivered a historic verdict, partially setting aside the Archaeological Survey of India's order dated April 7, 2003."​

He added that the court has recognised the Bhojshala complex as belonging to Raja Bhoj and granted the Hindu side the right to worship.​

"The court has granted us the right to perform worship rituals and has directed the government to oversee the management of the site," he said.​

Jain, who had pushed for an Archaeological Survey of India survey of the site, said the court has completely set aside the Archaeological Survey of India's previous order that granted the right to offer Namaz.​

"Henceforth, only Hindu worship shall take place there," he stated.​

On the Hindu side's demand for the repatriation of the idol of Goddess Vagdevi, currently housed in a London museum, Jain said the court has directed the government to consider the request.​

"The court has directed the government to consider this request. The court also noted that the Muslim side is free to present its views before the government as well," he said.​

He further said the court has asked the government to consider allocating alternative land to the Muslim side.​

The court held that the Muslim community could approach the state government regarding the allotment of separate land in the district for the construction of a mosque.​

The matter concerns the religious significance of the Archaeological Survey of India-protected monument in Dhar district, where Hindus regard the site as a temple of Goddess Saraswati, while Muslims refer to it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.​

The petition in the case was filed in 2022 by Ranjana Agnihotri and others on behalf of the Hindu Front for Justice, seeking to determine the religious nature of Bhojshala and grant full rights to the Hindu community.​

In 2024, the Archaeological Survey of India conducted a 98-day scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex.​

Regular hearings began in the High Court on April 6 and continued until May 12.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Riya H
I'm glad the court has taken note of historical evidence, but I hope the government handles the relocation of the mosque sensitively. We need to maintain communal harmony. The Muslim community's rights should not be dismissed entirely. 🕊️
A
Arjun K
Great decision! The ASI survey clearly showed the temple structure underneath. It's about time historical wrongs were corrected. Now we need to work on bringing back the Vagdevi idol from London. 🇮🇳
K
Kavya N
While I respect the court's decision, I'm concerned about how this will affect interfaith relations in the region. The Muslim community has been praying here for centuries. We need a solution that doesn't alienate anyone. The government has a big responsibility now.
S
Sneha F
Justice has been served! The ASI survey proved what we always knew - this was a Saraswati temple. Now let's hope the government provides a good alternative for the mosque and ensures peace in the area. 🇮🇳🙏

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