The Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati [1, 2].
This ruling resolves a long-standing religious dispute over the site's identity, shifting the legal status of the monument from a shared space to a Hindu temple [1, 3].
The court found historical evidence indicating that the structure is a temple of Goddess Saraswati rather than a mosque [1, 3]. As part of the verdict, the court cancelled a 2003 order from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that had previously allowed Friday prayers on the premises [2].
Under the new ruling, namaz is barred inside the complex [3]. However, the court maintained that the ASI will keep supervision of the monument to ensure its preservation [1]. To address the needs of the Muslim community, the court suggested that separate land be allocated for the construction of a mosque [1].
Representatives for the Hindu side said the Bhojshala is actually a temple of Goddess Saraswati and cannot be a mosque [3]. Dr. Meenakshi Jain said the verdict was a "civilisational reclamation moment" [2].
The decision follows years of legal battles over the site in Madhya Pradesh, where both Hindu and Muslim groups claimed historical and religious rights to the structure [1, 3].
“The court found historical evidence that the structure is a temple of Goddess Saraswati rather than a mosque.”
The ruling marks a significant legal shift in the management of contested religious sites in India. By prioritizing historical evidence of the structure's origin over long-term usage patterns, the court has set a precedent for the 'reclamation' of sites that may have served multiple religious purposes over centuries.
