The Indore bench of the High Court on Friday delivered a significant judgment in the long-standing Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque dispute in Dhar. The court held that the religious character of the disputed complex is that of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
A division bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi set aside the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) April 7, 2003 order, which had permitted the Muslim community to offer Friday namaz at the site. The court directed the Centre and the ASI to manage the monument in accordance with its original religious character.
Referring to the ASI survey and historical records, the bench observed that the existing structure was built over an earlier temple from the Parmar period. The ASI had conducted a detailed survey of the Bhojshala complex in 2024 following court directions.
The court further stated that if the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society seeks separate land for a mosque, the government should consider the request positively. It also urged the Centre to explore possibilities for bringing back the idol of Goddess Saraswati from the British Museum.
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