Madhya Pradesh High Court Rules Bhojshala as Temple, Offers Land for Mosque
Madhya Pradesh HC declares disputed Bhojshala site as temple, suggests alternate land for mosque
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
On May 15, 2026, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The court suggested that the Muslim community could seek alternative land from the state government for a mosque, amidst ongoing disputes regarding the site's religious significance.
- 01The Bhojshala complex is a contested site with claims from Hindu, Muslim, and Jain communities regarding its religious identity.
- 02The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a detailed survey indicating the site's historical significance as a temple predating the mosque.
- 03The ASI's report, which spanned over 2,000 pages, included findings of coins and inscriptions supporting the Hindu claims.
- 04The High Court's ruling followed extensive hearings on multiple petitions from different religious groups seeking exclusive worship rights.
- 05The Muslim community has been given the option to request separate land for a mosque from the Madhya Pradesh state government.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled on May 15, 2026, that the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. This decision comes amid a long-standing dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities over the site's religious significance. The court suggested that the Muslim community could approach the state government for alternate land to construct a mosque. The case has involved multiple petitions from Hindu, Muslim, and Jain groups, each claiming historical and religious ties to the site. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a comprehensive survey, revealing that the current structure was built using components from a temple that dates back to the reign of the Parmar kings. The ASI's findings included artifacts such as coins and inscriptions that the Hindu petitioners argue support their claims. However, the Muslim side contested the ASI's report, labeling it as biased. The court's decision reflects the complexities of the case, which has been under judicial scrutiny since early 2026.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The ruling may affect community relations in Dhar district, as it addresses long-standing religious tensions over the Bhojshala site.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the court's decision regarding the Bhojshala complex?
Connecting to poll...
More about Archaeological Survey of India
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.