Hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday to participate in a “maha aarti,” exactly one week after the High Court declared the site a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi. At the same time, members of the Muslim community offered Friday prayers at their homes while wearing black bands to protest the court’s ruling.
The development comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 15 declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex a temple and set aside an order of the Archaeological Survey of India that had earlier allowed Muslims to offer Friday namaz at the site.
First Friday Worship After Court Verdict
Before the court ruling, Hindu worship at Bhojshala was allowed only on Tuesdays, while Muslims had been offering Jumma prayers at the complex for years. Both Hindu and Muslim groups have long claimed religious rights over the site.
Friday marked the first Jumma after the High Court verdict, and Hindu organisations described it as the first major Friday worship at the complex in more than two decades.
Religious programmes, bhajan-kirtan and a large “maha aarti” were organised by local Hindu groups, including the Bhojshala Mukti Yagya Samiti and Bhoj Utsav Samiti, amid tight security arrangements.
Gopal Sharma said devotees from Dhar and nearby areas participated peacefully in prayers and rituals throughout the day.
The complex was decorated with flowers and rangoli as devotees lined up for darshan and worship.
Muslims Protest by Offering Namaz at Home
Meanwhile, members of the Muslim community chose to offer Friday prayers in courtyards and private premises while wearing black bands as a symbolic protest against the High Court decision.
Local Muslim leader Abdul Samad said the community respected the court’s verdict but was dissatisfied with the outcome.
“We registered our protest peacefully by offering Jumma namaz at our homes and wearing black bands,” Samad said.
He added that a petition challenging the High Court’s order had already been filed before the Supreme Court and expressed hope for relief.
Samad also objected to the administration’s decision to cancel permission for Friday namaz at the Kamal Maula Mosque portion of the complex.
Tight Security Across Dhar
Authorities deployed nearly 2,000 security personnel across Dhar district to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents. Officials also carried out drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and mobile patrolling in sensitive areas.
Sachin Sharma said the High Court’s directions were implemented “in letter and spirit” and confirmed that no law-and-order issue was reported during the day.
The Bhojshala dispute remains one of Madhya Pradesh’s most sensitive religious and legal matters, with both communities continuing to assert historical and religious claims over the site.
