On May 16, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) issued a formal order allowing unrestricted daily worship for Hindus at the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. This decision follows a ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 15, 2026, which declared the site a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, reversing a previous arrangement that divided access between Hindus and Muslims. The ASI's order supersedes the April 7, 2003 directive that had permitted Hindu worship only on Tuesdays and Muslim prayers on Fridays, a policy that had fueled communal tensions over the years.

The Bhojshala complex, associated with King Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty and known for its historical significance as a center of Sanskrit education, will remain a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. The ASI is directed to ensure the site's maintenance in line with the High Court's directives. The Muslim community, represented by the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, plans to appeal the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court, claiming the ASI survey was biased. The situation remains contentious as both communities navigate the implications of this landmark ruling.