BackLAW
Dhar’s Bhojshala site ruled as Saraswati temple by MP High Court; land for mosque ordered
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and ordered the government to provide a separate land plot for a mosque. The court also affirmed the site's protected monument status and overturned a 2003 order restricting Hindu prayers. It did not decide on returning the goddess idol from London but asked the central government to consider the recommendation.
Why It Matters
This ruling settles a long-running heritage and religious dispute, balancing monument protection with worship rights and proposing a land allocation solution for the mosque while referencing historical inscriptions and scholarly findings.
Timeline
6 Events
Judgment delivered: Saraswati temple characterization and land order
May 15, 2026
The Indore bench held that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex is a temple dedicated to goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi) and that the area has been a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act since March 18, 1904. It struck down the April 7, 2003 order that barred Hindus from prayers while allowing Muslims to pray, and ordered the government to provide a separate plot of land for Muslims to construct a mosque. The court did not rule on returning the goddess idol from a London museum but asked the central government to consider the representation. It also noted the 15th-century Khilji inscription referring to destruction of idols and temple-to-mosque conversion, and referenced historical literature and ASI findings in its decision.
Daily hearings begin in the case
April 6, 2026
The bench began daily hearings in the case, continuing for 36 days before reserving the verdict.
Scientific survey ends at Bhojshala site
June 30, 2024
The scientific survey at the Bhojshala site was completed.
Scientific survey begins at Bhojshala site
March 22, 2024
The scientific survey at the one-acre Bhojshala site commenced.
Court orders scientific survey into religious character
March 11, 2024
The Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a scientific survey to determine the religious character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex.
Hindu Front for Justice seeks scientific survey from MP High Court
2022
A group called Hindu Front for Justice approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking a scientific survey to determine the religious character of the Bhojshala site.