MP High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Hindu Temple; Quashes 2003 ASI Order Permitting Friday Namaz | Current Affairs

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court delivered a landmark verdict on 15 May 2026, declaring the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district a temple of Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi). The bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi based its ruling on archaeological and historical evidence, including the findings of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report. The court also quashed the 2003 ASI order that had allowed Muslims to offer Friday namaz at the site for two hours weekly. The Muslim community was advised that they may approach the state government seeking alternative land for construction of a mosque in Dhar district. Management of the monument will continue under the ASI.

Background: The Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is an 11th-century structure built during the reign of King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty. Hindus consider it a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim community identifies it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The ASI had conducted a 98-day scientific survey of the site beginning March 2024, and submitted a report of over 2,000 pages to the court, which formed the basis of the verdict.

Key Points to Remember:

Verdict date: 15 May 2026
Court: MP High Court, Indore Bench
Judges: Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi
Verdict: Bhojshala declared a temple of Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi)
Quashed: 2003 ASI order permitting Friday namaz at the site
Location: Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh
ASI survey: 98-day scientific survey; report of 2,000+ pages
Management: ASI will continue to manage the monument
Muslim community: May seek alternate land from state government

Related Static GK:

ASI full form: Archaeological Survey of India
ASI established: 1861; under Ministry of Culture
King Bhoja: Ruler of Paramara dynasty; known as a great scholar and builder
Paramara dynasty: Medieval Indian dynasty, capital at Dhara (Dhar), MP
Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991: Maintains religious character of places of worship as of 15 August 1947 (Bhojshala is not covered as it is an ASI-protected monument)