Leaders Online: The Supreme Court has refused to stay the Archaeological Survey (ASI) of the disputed sites of Bhojshala and Kamal Maula Masjid at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh. (Dhar Bhojshala ASI survey) The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a petition against the Madhya Pradesh High Court order directing a survey of “Bhojshala and Kamal Maula Masjid”. The Supreme Court has given interim directions that no action should be taken without their permission based on the results of the survey. No excavation of any kind shall be carried out on the disputed site; The Supreme Court has also clarified that it will change its original nature.
The survey of Bhojshala Complex has started from March 22. Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Kumar Singh has already clarified that 'Pooja' will be held on Tuesday and 'Namaz' on Friday at the bhojshala complex.
On March 11, a bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Devnarayan Mishra of the Indore High Court gave permission to carry out an archaeological survey of the Bhojshala and Kamal Maula Masjid complex in Madhya Pradesh. A 'scientific survey' of the Bhojshala complex was directed to be carried out within six weeks. According to an ASI order issued on 7 April 2003, Hindus are allowed to offer puja at the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaz there on Fridays. (Dhar Bhojshala ASI survey)
What exactly is the 'Bhojshala' controversy?
A petition was filed in the Indore High Court demanding the installation of an idol of Saraswati Devi in the Bhojshala at Dhar and videography of the entire complex. The petition has also demanded to stop namaaz here.
What does history say?
The Parmar dynasty ruled Dhar. Raja Bhoja ruled here from 1000 to 1055. Raja Bhoj was an ardent devotee of Goddess Saraswati. He established a college here in 1034, which later came to be known as 'Bhojshala'. Hindus also consider it as Saraswati temple. It is said that Bhojshala was destroyed by Alauddin Khilji in 1305. After this in 1401, Dilawar Khan Gauri built a mosque in a part of Bhojshale. In 1514, Mahmud Shah Khilji also built a mosque in another area. Excavations are believed to have taken place here in 1875. An idol of Goddess Saraswati was found in this excavation. British officer Major Kincaid took this idol to England. It is currently in the London Museum. The demand to bring it back has also been filed in the High Court.
Hindu organizations describe Bhojshale as a Raja Bhoja era building and consider it a temple of Saraswati. Muslims were allowed to pray here for a while during the dynasty. On the other hand, the Muslim community says that they have been offering prayers here for years. Muslims call it Bhojshala-Kamal Maulana Masjid.
In 1909, Bhojshale was declared a protected monument by the Dhar Sansthan. Later it was handed over to the Archeology Department. The Archeology Department is responsible for its maintenance. In 1935, the Dhar Sansthan had given permission to perform Friday prayers here. There was a dispute here in 1995. After that, the administration had allowed worship on Tuesday and namaz on Friday in this area.
Supreme Court refuses to stay ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) survey in the disputed sites Bhojshala and Kamal Maula Masjid of Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.
Supreme Court issues notice on plea against Madhya Pradesh High Court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India to… pic.twitter.com/LEtXY6YeN0
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2024
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