A day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Saturday allowed the Hindu community unrestricted access to the site for worship.
The decision comes after the Indore bench of the High Court quashed a 2003 ASI order that had earlier permitted Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the complex while allowing limited Hindu worship on Tuesdays.
ASI Cites Ancient Learning Centre and Temple Tradition
An ASI official said that Bhojshala was historically a centre for Sanskrit learning, grammar, and literature, and is associated with the worship of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati).
The official stated that the Hindu community would now have unrestricted access “in connection with the ancient practice of learning and worship of Goddess Saraswati,” according to PTI.
The move effectively opens the site for regular Hindu worship following the court’s ruling.
Devotees Offer Prayers Amid Tight Security
Soon after the developments, Hindu devotees gathered at the Bhojshala complex and performed rituals, including aarti and recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa.
Members of the Bhoj Utsav Samiti also participated in the prayers, with heavy police deployment in the area to maintain law and order.
Devotees expressed happiness over the decision, saying they were able to offer darshan freely. One devotee said, “We are delighted that we were able to have darshan… Now the entire Hindu society can conduct pooja every day.”
Background of the High Court Ruling
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled on May 15 that the Bhojshala complex is a temple of Goddess Saraswati, setting aside key portions of the ASI’s 2003 arrangement.
That earlier order had allowed Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays while permitting Hindu worship on Tuesdays, a system now completely scrapped following the court’s decision.
The ASI official’s statement reflects the implementation of the court’s ruling on site access and usage.
Ongoing Legal and Political Reactions
Following the verdict, Hindu side lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain said preparations were underway to begin regular worship and also to pursue further legal remedies in the Supreme Court if required.
Muslim organisations have already indicated that they will challenge the verdict in the apex court, keeping the dispute legally active despite the implementation of the High Court’s order.
