The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear appeals filed by the Muslim side against the Madhya Pradesh High Court judgment declaring Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. While refusing to allow Friday namaz inside the disputed complex, the court directed that members of the Muslim community be provided a separate open space adjacent to the site to offer prayers under an ad hoc arrangement.&nbsp;A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Hindu parties, seeking their responses. The matter has been listed for hearing in two to three weeks.&nbsp;The Supreme Court declined to stay the High Court judgment or revive the 2003 ASI arrangement that governed worship at the disputed site. Instead, it issued an interim order permitting members of the Muslim community to offer Friday namaz at a separate open space next to the disputed premises.&nbsp;"Meanwhile, as an interim measure and without prejudice to the rights of both sides... a separate open space adjacent to the subject premises may be provided to the appellant and other members of the Muslim community for offering Namaz on Friday between 1-3 pm. The arrangement shall be ad hoc in nature. And subject to final adjudication of the appeal," the Court said.&nbsp;The bench also directed that the ASI should not undertake any structural changes at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, without prior permission from the Supreme Court.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/acts-of-violence-india-lodges-strong-protest-over-hormuz-strikes-calls-for-end-to-attacks-on-commercial-vessels-1784024780401">'Acts of violence': India lodges strong protest over Hormuz strikes, calls for end to attacks on commercial vessels</a>&nbsp;"Structural alteration to the Complex as proposed by ASI, it will not be done without the leave (permission) of this Court", it added.&nbsp;The court asked both the Hindu and Muslim sides to exercise patience, saying Bhojshala is a sensitive matter. It also said it was ready to hear the case on a day-to-day basis to resolve the dispute.&nbsp;The appeals challenge the May 15 judgment of the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which ruled that the religious character of the disputed monument is that of Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.&nbsp;The High Court had set aside the 2003 ASI arrangement to the extent that it restricted the rights of Hindus to worship inside the Bhojshala complex while allowing Friday prayers by the Muslim community. It also directed the Union government and the ASI to take decisions on the administration and management of the temple, while the ASI would continue to oversee the preservation and regulation of the protected monument.&nbsp;The High Court further observed that the Union government may consider representations seeking the return of the idol of Goddess Saraswati, which is currently housed in a London museum, and its reinstallation at the Bhojshala complex. It also said that if the Muslim community seeks suitable land in Dhar district to construct a mosque or place of prayer, the state government may consider the request in accordance with the law.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Muslim side's appeal against the Bhojshala ruling while refusing to restore Friday namaz inside the complex and permitting prayers at a nearby open space.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear appeals filed by the Muslim side against the Madhya Pradesh High Court judgment declaring Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. While refusing to allow Friday namaz inside the disputed complex, the court directed that members of the Muslim community be provided a separate open space adjacent to the site to offer prayers under an ad hoc arrangement. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Hindu parties, seeking their responses. The matter has been listed for hearing in two to three weeks. The Supreme Court declined to stay the High Court judgment or revive the 2003 ASI arrangement that governed worship at the disputed site. Instead, it issued an interim order permitting members of the Muslim community to offer Friday namaz at a separate open space next to the disputed premises. "Meanwhile, as an interim measure and without prejudice to the rights of both sides... a separate open space adjacent to the subject premises may be provided to the appellant and other members of the Muslim community for offering Namaz on Friday between 1-3 pm. The arrangement shall be ad hoc in nature. And subject to final adjudication of the appeal," the Court said. The bench also directed that the ASI should not undertake any structural changes at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, without prior permission from the Supreme Court. Also Read: 'Acts of violence': India lodges strong protest over Hormuz strikes, calls for end to attacks on commercial vessels "Structural alteration to the Complex as proposed by ASI, it will not be done without the leave (permission) of this Court", it added. The court asked both the Hindu and Muslim sides to exercise patience, saying Bhojshala is a sensitive matter. It also said it was ready to hear the case on a day-to-day basis to resolve the dispute. The appeals challenge the May 15 judgment of the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which ruled that the religious character of the disputed monument is that of Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The High Court had set aside the 2003 ASI arrangement to the extent that it restricted the rights of Hindus to worship inside the Bhojshala complex while allowing Friday prayers by the Muslim community. It also directed the Union government and the ASI to take decisions on the administration and management of the temple, while the ASI would continue to oversee the preservation and regulation of the protected monument. The High Court further observed that the Union government may consider representations seeking the return of the idol of Goddess Saraswati, which is currently housed in a London museum, and its reinstallation at the Bhojshala complex. It also said that if the Muslim community seeks suitable land in Dhar district to construct a mosque or place of prayer, the state government may consider the request in accordance with the law.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Muslim side's appeal against the Bhojshala ruling while refusing to restore Friday namaz inside the complex and permitting prayers at a nearby open space.

SC declines to restore Friday namaz inside Bhojshala, permits prayers at adjacent site

In a landmark ruling that could significantly alter the long-running Bhojshala-Kamal Maula dispute, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday declared the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati and struck down the 2003 arrangement of the Archaeological Survey of India allowing Muslims to offer namaz at the site.&nbsp;Delivering the verdict, a division bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi held that historical records, archaeological findings and literary references established the religious character of the complex as a Saraswati temple linked to Raja Bhoj, the Parmar ruler credited with turning Dhar into a major centre of Sanskrit learning.&nbsp;“We have noted that the continuity of Hindu worship at the site has, over time, never been extinguished. We record finding that historical literature establishes the character of the disputed area as a centre of Sanskrit learning, along with literature and archaeological references indicate the existence of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati,” the Bench ruled.&nbsp;The court quashed the ASI’s 2003 order that had permitted members of the Muslim community to offer prayers at the Bhojshala complex while also restricting Hindu worship.&nbsp;“2003 ASI order to the extent restricting the right of Hindus to worship within the Bhojshala complex and also the order permitting prayer by the Muslim community are quashed,” the court said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-s-visit-to-uae-helps-india-sign-several-vital-agreements-with-the-gulf-nation-1778833421712">PM Modi's visit to UAE helps India sign several vital agreements with the Gulf nation</a>&nbsp;At the same time, the Bench said Muslims may approach the State government for allotment of alternative land for the construction of a mosque or a separate place for prayers in Dhar district.&nbsp;“In order to secure the religious rights of the Muslim community and to ensure complete Justice between the parties, in case the respondent no. 8 (Muslim party) submits an application for allotment of suitable land within Dhar District for the construction of a mosque or place for prayer, the State government may consider the said application in accordance with law,” the judgment directed.<h2>ASI to continue preservation work at Bhojshala</h2>The High Court further clarified that the ASI would retain full supervisory authority over the preservation and conservation of the monument, which remains protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.&nbsp;The Bench also took note of pleas filed by Hindu petitioners seeking the return of an idol of Goddess Saraswati believed to be kept in a museum in London. The court observed that the government may consider any representation seeking the idol’s repatriation and possible installation inside the Bhojshala complex.

The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar has been at the centre of a long-running dispute over its religious identity and worship rights, with Hindus claiming it as an ancient Saraswati temple from Raja Bhoj’s era, while Muslims regard it as the Kamal Maula mosque.

In a landmark ruling that could significantly alter the long-running Bhojshala-Kamal Maula dispute, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday declared the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati and struck down the 2003 arrangement of the Archaeological Survey of India allowing Muslims to offer namaz at the site. Delivering the verdict, a division bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi held that historical records, archaeological findings and literary references established the religious character of the complex as a Saraswati temple linked to Raja Bhoj, the Parmar ruler credited with turning Dhar into a major centre of Sanskrit learning. “We have noted that the continuity of Hindu worship at the site has, over time, never been extinguished. We record finding that historical literature establishes the character of the disputed area as a centre of Sanskrit learning, along with literature and archaeological references indicate the existence of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati,” the Bench ruled. The court quashed the ASI’s 2003 order that had permitted members of the Muslim community to offer prayers at the Bhojshala complex while also restricting Hindu worship. “2003 ASI order to the extent restricting the right of Hindus to worship within the Bhojshala complex and also the order permitting prayer by the Muslim community are quashed,” the court said. Also Read: PM Modi's visit to UAE helps India sign several vital agreements with the Gulf nation At the same time, the Bench said Muslims may approach the State government for allotment of alternative land for the construction of a mosque or a separate place for prayers in Dhar district. “In order to secure the religious rights of the Muslim community and to ensure complete Justice between the parties, in case the respondent no. 8 (Muslim party) submits an application for allotment of suitable land within Dhar District for the construction of a mosque or place for prayer, the State government may consider the said application in accordance with law,” the judgment directed. ASI to continue preservation work at Bhojshala The High Court further clarified that the ASI would retain full supervisory authority over the preservation and conservation of the monument, which remains protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. The Bench also took note of pleas filed by Hindu petitioners seeking the return of an idol of Goddess Saraswati believed to be kept in a museum in London. The court observed that the government may consider any representation seeking the idol’s repatriation and possible installation inside the Bhojshala complex.

The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar has been at the centre of a long-running dispute over its religious identity and worship rights, with Hindus claiming it as an ancient Saraswati temple from Raja Bhoj’s era, while Muslims regard it as the Kamal Maula mosque.

MP HC declares Bhojshala site a Saraswati temple, quashes ASI’s 2003 namaz order

bhojshala

Bhojshala, News on Bhojshala, stories on Bhojshala, articles on Bhojshala, Bhojshala stories at Wion, Bhojshala news, Bhojshala latest news