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Muslim claim not the only one dismissed in MP HC's Bhojshala ‘Hindu temple’ verdict
The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled in the Bhojshala dispute, awarding the site to a Hindu temple and dismissing a Jain petition. It also observed that Jainism is a branch of Hinduism, citing two legal provisions, while the Jain petition rested on a 1091 inscription linked to an idol at Bhojshala.
Why It Matters
The ruling resolves a three-way religious claims dispute over the Bhojshala site and shapes jurisprudence on interfaith heritage claims in Dhar.
Timeline
2 Events
Inscription on Bhojshala idol dated 1091 cited by Jain petition
1091
Salek Chand Jain's petition rests on an inscription dated to the year 1091 found on an idol at the Bhojshala complex. The inscription had earlier been read by some as referring to Vagdevi (Saraswati), but later scholarly work, including by Harivallabh Bhayani, argued the inscription's main subject was Ambika, a Jain goddess, as per the plea.
MP HC Bhojshala verdict: Hindu temple awarded; Jain petition dismissed; Jainism described as branch of Hinduism
May 15, 2026
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled in the Bhojshala dispute, awarding the site to the Hindu temple and dismissing the Jain petition. In its observations, the court stated that Jainism is 'in fact, a branch of Hinduism' and cited two legal provisions to support this view. The idol involved is reportedly housed in the British Museum in London.